TWO WEDGWOOD BLACK BASALT PORTRAIT MEDALLIONS, 'ARSINOE' AND 'MARTIUS' AND A DOUBLE-SIDED CIRCULAR MEDALLION OF 'AUGUSTE'

TWO WEDGWOOD BLACK BASALT PORTRAIT MEDALLIONS, 'ARSINOE' AND 'MARTIUS' AND A DOUBLE-SIDED CIRCULAR MEDALLION OF 'AUGUSTE' circa 1780, impressed Wedgwood marks, based on Ancient coinage, each molded with an opposing profile within an integral frame, identified on the front, the Egyptian Queen in a diadem and veil headdress; the Roman King with royal fillet, both with an indented twice pierced slot on the reverse for suspension: h: 3 in.; the profile cameo medallion of Auguste, to sinister, within a serrated border, the reverse with a classic relief emblematic of Plenty, inscribed, REGNE D'AUGUSTE., dia: 1 1/2 in. (3)

Provenance: With Muriel Polikoff, Philadelphia, PA, 2008 - Arsinoe and Martius.
Jeffrey Milkins Collection, nos. 497, 544 and 980.

Catalogue Note:
Arsinoe II Philadelphus (circa 318/311 - 270/268 BCE), was an Egyptian Ptolemaic Queen, the image on the present medallion is based on a gold octadrachm (mnaieion) struck in Alexandria around 253-246 BCE. Ancus Martius (circa 677 - 617 BCE) was the fourth King of Rome. For a similar medallion of Martius see, The Victoria & Albert Museum, accession no. 5047-1901.