Period: Late 16th century

Provenance: Italy

Ring size: 7

Weight: 10,2 gr

The cameo, dated to the late 16th century, is made of agate and set in a later 18-karat yellow gold setting. The cameo features an engraving of the face of Alessandro de Medici, known as the Moor because of his dark appearance, which has led historians in later periods to question his origins, which remain doubtful to this day: already in the sixteenth century, in fact, many believed that he was the illegitimate son of Lorenzo II de Medici, therefore, grandson of Lorenzo the Magnificent; others believed that he was the natural son of Giulio de Medici, future Pope Clement VII. Alexander, in any case, gained power over the Signoria of Florence after Julius became pope and he held this role until he was assassinated by Lorenzino de Medici, his distant relative, for unclear causes. The cameo, therefore, features a realistic and effective portrait of the face of Alessandro il Moro whose physical features, such as the preponderant nose and curly hair, are deliberately highlighted to celebrate the fame of this exponent of the Medici family.