Catherine the Great, a portrait ring

Description

Gold ring, set with a glass cameo portrait of Empress Catherine the Great of Russia, the cameo under glass.

English, circa 1790

James Tassie (1735-1799) was born near Glasgow, of Italian origin according to family tradition. He studied art in Glasgow, especially sculpting and modelling and became famous: ‘The pastes by Mr Tassie, in imitation of precious stones, are now generally known as well as his casts in sulphur. Nor does he confine himself to mechanical parts, but imitates original nature with success.’ (John Gray, James and William Tassie, London, 1894, p.4).

In Dublin he became assistant to Dr. Quin. They invented the ‘white enamel composition’, a vitreous paste unique in texture and hardness. Tassie moved to London in 1766, where he improved considerably his techniques and casts and encountered success. In addition to his impressions from antique gems, Tassie executed many profile medallion portraits of contemporaries, modelled in wax from life,then cast in his white paste. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1769 to 1791. He received many commissions accross Europe, the largest from Catherine II of Russia which was delivered in 1781.
When Tassie died in 1799, his nephew William took over his business.