This incredible Grand Tour souvenir was originally bought by a traveler visiting Rome in the second half of the 19th Century. The book-shaped case, also known as a 'Dactyliotheca', opens on both sides and holds 50 plaster casts of antique cameos depicting several deities and historical figures. The outside of the book reads 'Impronte Gemmarie' and the inside carries the label of the maker, Antonio Odelli, who here writes his name in French 'Antoine Odelli'.
In 1826, the German Archaeological Institute (Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica) was founded in Rome, and engraver Tomas Cades began to make casts from European gem collections for the institute. At the request of the institute, he began to publish a collection of casts under the name 'Impronte Gemmarie dell'Instituto'.
After his death in 1840, the distribution of the Impronte Gemmarie was halted for several decades. It was finally restarted in 1868 by the archaeologist Wolfgang Helbig and Odelli as a joint project, since at that time he was known to be the most experienced intaglio engraver in Rome. This volume appears to be one of the remaining copies of this undertaking.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: 36.5 x 21 x 5 mm.
Age: 19th Century, circa 1860s.
Condition: In good antique condition with signs of wear, consistent with their age. The exterior displays scuffs and marks Most cameos are in good condition with only a few minor scuffs, except the large cameo of a lady, which has unfortunately cracked: this can be seen in the pictures.
Please note that this shop is based in the EU. Although antiques are exempt from taxes, buyers from outside the EU might be subject to import duties.