Luigi Rosi Cameo Makers Mark and Information

Luigi Rosi was a cameo maker who worked in Rome in the mid-nineteenth century. Much of his artwork includes classical Greek and Roman figures such as Minerva and Psyche. Below are some examples of his work.

A hardstone cameo, by Luigi Rosi, 1886 The hardstone carved to depict Venus in profile, her up-swept hair and shoulders decorated with roses, inscribed to the reverse Luigi Rosi, Roma, Piazza di Spagna, 86 within a fine ropetwist frame, signed L. Rosi, length 6.7cm

Sold for £1,625 inc. premium in 2014

Modern gold brooch set with an agate cameo of a profile head of Mars with an engraved signature and an inscription on the reverse. Made by: Luigi Rosi 1826-1875

Reference: © The Trustees of the British Museum

Archaeological Gold, Hardstone Cameo and Split Pearl Pendant-Brooch, Luigi Rosi The circular hardstone cameo depicting the profile of a stylized warrior, encircled by two strands of rope-twist gold and split pearls, within a recessed frame of circle links flanked by rope-twist strands of gold, suspended by a concave flower centering one button pearl within two rows of articulated petals, circa 1870, approximately 23.8 dwt.

Nice carving. Signed L. Rosi Top left of frame slightly out-of-round, but not dented. Minor tarnish spot on outer left edge of circles, slightly visible to eye. Overall good condition. Diameter 1 3/4″.

Sold for $2,812 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle New York in 2012

Bust of Psyche Artist:Luigi Rosi (Italian, active Rome) — The diaphanous nature of Psyche’s butterfly wings is indicated by small circular cuts into the translucent claret-toned layer. Anticipating customers, Luigi Rosi (apparently unrecorded apart from this piece) supplied his address in the Via Rasella near the Trevi Fountain in Rome. Most Roman carvers favored locations northwest of there, in streets between the Spanish Steps and the Piazza del Popolo.

Incised behind wings: L. ROSI

Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Agate cameo pendant brooch, Luigi Rosi, 1870s Set with a circular agate cameo depicting Minerva, within a seed pearl and open work border in the Etruscan revival style, suspended from a fine rope work and seed pearl floral motif, detachable pendant fitting, signed L. Rosi, Roman assay mark.

Sold for 3,250 GBP at Sothebys in 2018

Girdle, Italy, Vicenza, 1871; made by Antonio Cortellazzo (1820-1903); cameos by Luigi Rosi — Girdle, steel panels, damascened and set with enamels, lapis-lazuli, Roman mosaics and onyx cameos; the cameos signed: L. Rosi; the steel signed by Antonio Cortellazzo.

Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum

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