Pope Gregory XVI (Bartolommeo Alberto Cappellari, b. 1765, Pope 1831–1846)
Unknown Artist
second half 19th century
Medium
Jasper and silver-gilt
Dimensions
3 5/8 × 2 1/2 in. (9.2 × 6.4 cm)
Classification
Lapidary Work-Gems
Culture
Italian
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Milton Weil Collection, 1940
Accession Number
40.20.28
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate lapidary work, a profile portrait of Pope Gregory XVI (Bartolo Alberto Cappellari 1765–1846), captures pontiff's dignified visage in rich red jasper, framed by ornate silver-gilt. Measuring just 3⅝ × 2½ inches, this Italian gem from the second half of the19th century exemplifies the of hardstone carving, where artisans meticulously sculpted the stone's natural veining to evoke the Pope's flowing robes and triple crown. Such intimate scale made these pieces ideal for personal devotion, jewelry pendants, or collectors' cabinets. Pope Gregory XVI reigned during a turbulent era of E...