Cameo of Philip II of Spain

2nd half 16th cent.

Italian

Probably acquired by Charles I in 1637; probably in the collection of Queen Caroline

Portrait cameo bust of Philip II of Spain (1527-98), in profile to the left. He wears a cuirass with a lion’s mask epaulette, a ruff and cloak.

The high quality of this gem, and the intense characterisation of the sitter, justifies an attribution to Jacopo da Trezzo. Da Trezzo worked for Philip II and moved to Madrid in 1559. The cameo may have arrived in England between 1554 and 1558 when Philip II was King Consort to Mary I. ...