Tiberian's Signature
Collection of Intaglios

History

After the revival of civilization and literature in Europe, there arose among those of learning and rank a rivalry for the preservation of the relics of ancient art. The enlightened Medici family acquired early eminence in this noble pursuit. Among the most valued treasures bequeathed to us from antiquity, engraved intaglios were prominently distinguished; and justly so, because the ancient pictures had all perished, except some frescoes, and very few statues survived the test of time and barbarism.

Engraved intaglios were held in the highest esteem, not merely for the purity, brilliancy, rarity and costliness of the stones, but also for the fact that they represented a connnecting link between the rival and sister arts of painting and sculpture, preserving the excellence of both. While they present to us the delicacy and animation of portraiture, they possess the boldness and three-dimensional solidity of statues, exemplifing the pinnacle of the artistical talent, grace and skill of the ancients.

The Prince Albert Collection of Intaglio Seals relate chiefly to the higher divinities of ancient Greek and Roman mythology. They have been presented to you in their original freshness, beauty, and perfection.

J. Prendville

Photography by Chris Howell.

Copyright Notice

Tiberian Design holds copyright on all images and designs presented. No reproduction or alteration of an image is permitted without prior written consent. Email written requests to Tiberian Design. Offenses are punishable under international law.

Ganymede borne by the eagle of Jupiter. Number 01

Jupiter caressing Ganymede, who is offering him nectar Number 02

Minerva springing from the head of Jupiter, which Vulcan opens with a blow of his axe Number 03

Ganymede presenting a cup of nectar to the eagle of Jupiter Number 04

Apollo and Hercules destroying the Titan Number 05

Diana, accompanied by her dog, in the war with the Titans, pierces one of them with an arrow. Number 06

The combat between Jupiter and Typhon the Titan Number 07

Diana, as Hectate, armed with torches, confronting a Titan, who is preparing to hurl a large stone Number 08

A Titan destroyed by Jupiter with a thunderbolt Number 09

Minerva having shown Pallas the head of Medusa. He is immediately turned to stone. Demaster, the companion of Pallas, and fierce as he, raised him from the earth, and hurled him at the Gods. Number 10

Mars, hastening to defend Olympus against the attack of the Titans Number 11

Vulcan, armed with an enormous hammer, heated in the furnace, overthrowing one of the Titans Number 12

Tityus Number 13

Mercury and Aegipan sending to sleep the enormous dragon which guards the cave of Coryeus, and delivering Jupiter Number 14

Jupiter commanding the eagle to carry off Ganymede, son of Tros Number 15

Jupiter in love with Danaƫ, daughter of Aerigius, King of Argos, transforming himself to a shower of gold. Penetrates the brazen tower in which Danaƫ is confined by her father, and she becomes the mother of Perseus Number 16

Venus and Mars Number 17

Confiding the infant Mars to Pripus to educate. Number 18

Halirrhotius and Alcippe Number 19

Mars put in chains by the Aloides Number 20

Ino, with her infant Melicerta, on the back of a dolphin Number 21

The infant Vulcan, having fallen from heaven on the island of Lemmos, is saved by Thetis and the nymph Euronyme Number 22

Neptune and Caenis seated on a dolphin Number 23

The dolphin sent by Neptune to entice Amphitrite, daughter of Ocean and Tethys, to follow him Number 24

Procris Number 25

Vulcan, having surprised Venus and Mars, encloses them in his brazen net, which united extreme lightness with such solidity, that even the god of war could not break it Number 26

Salmacis metamorphosed Number 27

Pluto carrying off Proserpine Number 28

Typhon, overcoming Jupiter, casts him into the cave of Corycus, at the foot of Parnassus Number 29

Minerva shaking with her lance Mount Etna, under which lies Enceladus Number 30

Typhon chasing Venus Number 31

Mars, in the war with the Titans, thrusts his lance into the most formidable of these creatures Number 32

Cybele, with her crown of towers, and at her feet a tame lion, caressing Atys, the young and handsome shepard of Mount Ida. Number 33

Saturn and his wife Rhea, with their attributes. Number 34

Atalanta and Hippomenes changed into a lion and lioness. Number 35

Cybele in her car drawn by lions. Number 36

Neptune in a dignified attitude. In his right hand he holds the trident, and in the left a dolphin. Number 37

Porserpine metamorphosing Ascalaphus into an owl. Number 38

The figure of Juno Sospita, covered with a goat-skin, and armed with a lance and shield. Number 39

A sitting figure of Apollo, in the attitude of singing to his lyre. Number 40

Ceres escaping from the importunities of Neptune by changing herself into a mare. Number 41

The Cyclops presenting the trident to Neptune. Number 42

Neptune and Amphitrite seated on a sea horse. Number 43

Neptune on a seahorse, with Eumopus in his arms. Number 44

Jupiter, armed with a hatchet, is here called Labradeus, as he is frequently represented on the coins of Caria, where he was worshipped under this invocation. Number 45

Minerva with her principal attributes, the olive branch and owl. Number 46

Venus Victrix. Number 47

Venus in her bath. She is holding a vase of elegant form filled with perfumed oil. Number 48

Jupiter, to obtain the favours of Aegina, daughter of the river Asopus, changed himself to a flame of fire, and made the nymph the mother of Aecus, who was the father of Telamon. Number 49

Pluto carrying off Prosepine in a quadriga. Number 50

Ceres Mallophera, the producer of wool, seated on a sheep. Number 51

Jupiter resuming his divinity, and manifesting himself to Proserpine Number 52

Maia, the eldest of the daughters of Atlas, was beloved by Jupiter, who surprised her in the cave of Cylleneius, and she became the mother of Mercury Number 53

The combat between Idas and Apollo. Number 54

Mercury alighting on the tortoise to which Chelone is changed. Number 55

Psyche giving the soporific cake to Cerberus Number 56