Marlborough gems

The Marlborough gems were a large collection of jewels (cameos and intaglios) assembled by several Dukes of Marlborough.[1][2] The collection was composed of more than 730 carved gemstones, including garnets, sapphires, emeralds and many cameos. The most famous cameo, and the Duke's favourite, was 'The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche'. A comprehensive catalogue was published in 1870 by Nevil Story Maskelyne.[3] He made impressions and electrotypes, now in the Beazley Archive in Oxford, which have been published.[4]

The Marlborough gems were sold by John Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough at auction in 1875 to raise money for the maintenance of Blenheim Palace, the ancestral home.[5] The whole collection was bought by David Bromilow and then broken up and sold by his daughter, a Mrs Jary at Christie's in 1899.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Marlborough (Duke of), George Spencer (1870). The Marlborough gems: being a collection of works in cameo and intaglio. Oxford University: Printed for private distribution.
  2. ↑ "The-Marlborough-Collection". www.carc.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  3. ↑ M. H. Story-Maskelyne, The Marlborough Gems. Being a collection of works in cameo and intaglio formed by George, Third Duke of Marlborough (Private 1870). Reprinted, with abridged introduction and slightly abridged entries, by Christie’s for the London Sale catalogues of 28 June 1875 and 26 June 1899.
  4. ↑ Boardman, John; Scarisbrick, Diana; Wagner, Claudia; Zwierlein-Diehl, Erika (2009). The Marlborough Gems formerly at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. Oxford: OUP. ISBN 9780199237517.
  5. ↑ The Marlborough Gems: Being a Collection of Works in Cameo and Intaglio Formed by George, Third Duke of Marlborough, auction catalogue, Christie's, London, 28 June – 1 July 1875
  6. ↑ "Catalogue of the Marlborough gems : being a collection of works in cameo and intaglio, formed by George, 3rd [i.e. 4th] duke of Marlborough, purchased by the late David Bromilow, of Bitteswell Hall, Lutterworth : the property of Mrs. Jary: which will be sold by auction by Christie, Manson & Woods ... June 26th, 1899, and three following days". Hathi Trust. Retrieved 5 August 2026.


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