Jewellery / Brooch Makers

Amastini, Angelo Antonio and Niccoli

Angelo Antonio Amastini and Niccoli Amastini were a family of gem-engravers specialising in cameos. These cameos were often mounted into brooches.

Below are some examples of their cameos including an oval chalcedony plaque of a lady in profile and an example of their maker’s mark.

Amastini signature makers mark — Amastini signature

Amastini cameo — Onyx cameo of a profile bust of Psyche in a gold setting with an engraved signature. © The Trustees of the British Museum

An early 19th century chalcedony cameo brooch/pendant, by Angelo Antonio Amastini — An early 19th century chalcedony cameo brooch/pendant, by Angelo Antonio Amastini. The oval chalcedony plaque carved to depict a lady in profile with a hair ornament, within a scrolling surround, signed, length 5.6cm. Sold for £ 2,000 at Bonhams

19th century chalcedony cameo brooch/pendant,by Angelo Antonio Amastini. Cameo brooch set in chased gold. Signed A. Amastini. Sold For: $4,000 at LOUIS J. DIANNI, LLC

Amastini Snuff Box — Rectangular straight sided hinged blond tortoishell box. Lid inset with gold frame surrounding an onyx cameo of right profile bust of Apollo in high relief, toga tied at left shoulder. Gold thumbpiece and prominent gold hinge. Struck on the inner hinge with obscured maker’s mark, third standard mark and excise mark for gold, Paris, 1819-38, and an unidentified mark. The large cameo depicts the bust of Apollo in profile to the right. He wears a cloak draped around his shoulders and fastened on his right shoulder with a circular brooch. His long curled hair is secured by a fillet and topknot. The cameo is curiously signed to the left of the back of Apollo’s head: K T A I AMASTINΠ. in a mixture of Greek and Latin letters. It is almost certainly the work of the Roman gem-cutter Angelo Antonio Amastini (1754 – after 1815) and the signature should be read as A A AMASTINI. Amastini is known to have signed his work in a number of ways and it appears that in this case he used pseudo-Greek lettering for an antique effect. The reputed provenance of this snuffbox, as set down by Queen Mary, indicates that it was formerly in the collection of George IV and given by him to his favourite, Elizabeth, Marchioness Conyngham (?1766-1861). It was subsequently presented to Queen Mary by Sir Guy Laking, Keeper of the King’s Armoury at Windsor. Text adapted from Ancient and Modern Gems and Jewels in the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen, London, 2008. The Royal Collection

14k gold Neoclassical cameo brooch — A 14k gold Neoclassical cameo brooch The layered onyx cameo (ca. 47 x 35 x 10 mm) finely carved with a young lady’s profile in Hellenistic style. Signed vertically to the left “A. Mastini”. In a finely chased gold frame with a blue enamel border. Some small hairline cracks to the cameo. Minor chips to the enamel. 4.7 x 3.5 cm. Weight 28.4 g. Presumably England, 1st quarter 19th C., the cameo by Angelo Amastini (Rome 1754 – 1815). High quality cameos signed with variations of the name “Mastini” can be found in intagio collections and museums throughout the world. The signature is thought to derive from the name “Amastini” and is generally associated with the Roman gem cutters Angelo Amastini and his son Nicolo, who were active in the late 18th and early 19th century. This idealised portrait of a lady with an elaborate braided hairstyle is frequently interpreted as a depiction of the mythical queen Semiramis. Sold for €8.184 at Lempertz

Education of the Infant Bacchus, Artist:Niccolò Amastini — Education of the Infant Bacchus, Artist:Niccolò Amastini (born Rome 1780–1851) Date:first half 19th century Culture:Italian, Rome Medium:Onyx, gold frame Dimensions:Overall (in setting): 2 9/16 x 1 7/8 in. (6.5 x 4.8 cm); visible cameo, overall: 2 1/16 x 1 7/16 in. (5.2 x 3.6 cm), 52.3 x 36.3 mm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Victorian Yellow Gold and Carved Agate Cameo, Amastini — A Victorian Yellow Gold and Carved Agate Cameo, Amastini, consisting of an oval agate cameo depicting a young male child’s profile in white against a translucent brown background, the cameo measuring approximately 43.00 x 32.00 mm within a foliate motif bezel setting, suspended from a yellow gold rope chain necklace. Scratchmark: AMASTINI 794 22714. 18.50 dwts. Sold for: $1,512 at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers