Object Description
A white vitreous paste cameo of Emma, Lady Hamilton, attributed to William Tassie after Filipo Rega, of oval form depicting Emma facing right with her hair in a Grecian style, English, circa 1800
Footnote: William Tassie (1777-1860) was a prolific and highly successful maker of intaglios and cameos, reproduction gems and medals, many cast in a glass paste developed by his uncle James Tassie whose thriving business he had succeeded in 1799. Like many London firms, Tassie took commercial advantage from the victory at Trafalgar producing large numbers of cameos of Nelson of varying sizes to supply the public appetite for souvenirs. Filipo Rega (1761-1833) was an Italian gem-engraver and medallist. He was a pupil of Giovanni Pichler in Rome from 1776 but returned in 1787 to Naples, where he gained commissions from the Bourbon and later the Napoleonic court and was no doubt introduced to Sir William and Lady Hamilton.