PAMPHILOS (Greek). Gem-engraver of the fourth century before Christ, whose full signature occurs on a fine intaglio in amethyst in the Paris Cabinet des Médailles. The figure represented is Achilles playing the lyre. It measures 18 X 15 mill. This admirable gem was given to Louis XIV. in 1680 by Prof. Fesch of Basle. Both Chabouillet and Furtwängler express the opinion that the original from which the artist inspired himself was a painting; the subject recalls the Ares Ludovisi. There is an ancient reproduction of this intaglio in paste in the Berlin Museum, but without the signature, and a modern copy in the British Museum. "Diese ganz vorzügliche gemme ", says Prof Furtwängler, " ist in der Arbeit nach mehr als einer Hinsicht der des Apollonios nahe verwandt. Auch das Material, ein wieder etwas convex geschliffener Amethyst ist dasselbe, und bei der Umgebung der Figur sind dieselben Vortheile der Steinform ausgenutzt wie dort. Die Wiedergabe des Nackten und der Ausdruck in der Haltung sind hier besonders bewundernswerth ; doch ist das Nebensächliche nicht minder vorzüglich. Das vorauszusetzende Original war wohl ein Gemälde. Die Körperbildung und Proportion des Achill erinnert sehr an den Ares Ludovisi. An der Aechtheit, auch der Inschrift, kann nicht der geringste Zweifel aufkommen ". The Devonshire Carnelian (Stosch, Taf. 48; Lippert 2, 141) is a poor copy with some modifications. King mentions the signature of Pamphilos on other modern gems: Theseus killing the Minotaur; — Head of Junius Brutus ; — — Youthful Herakles, sard ; — Cupid coming to the rescue of Psyche caught by the foot in a trap, sard (British Museum); — Metrodoros (Cades) ; — Bust of Diana (Poniatowski) ; — Theseus chained while Cerberus is tearing Pirithous, carnelian (Poniatowski). Bibliography. — Furtwängler, Gemmen mit Künstlerinschriften, Jahrbuch des Kais. deutsch. Archaol. Inst., 1888, p. 321. — Ibid., Antike Gemmen, 1903. — King, op. cit. — Babelon, Pierres gravées. — Mariette, Traité, &c, I, 92. — J. Reinach, Pierres gravées. — Daremberg and Saglio, Dictionn. des ant., — fig. 3524. Brunn, op. cit., t. II, p. 522. — Prendeville, op. cit.
Source: Biographical dictionary of medallists; coin, gem, and seal-engravers, mint-masters, ancient and modern, with references to their works B.C. 500-A.D. 1900; compiled by L. Forrer, London 1904
Source: Biographical dictionary of medallists; coin, gem, and seal-engravers, mint-masters, ancient and modern, with references to their works B.C. 500-A.D. 1900; compiled by L. Forrer, London 1904
OEFENER, FRANZ
OEFENER, FRANZ (Germ.). Mint-master at Heidelberg and Mannheim, circ. 1737-1749. He was first in the service of Prince Elector Karl Philipp of the Palatinate, and later, from about 1743, in that of Prince Elector Karl Theodor. His issues are usually signed O. F. Schlickeysen spells his name OFFNER and places the date of his activity between 1732 and 1750. At Mannheim, Wigand Schäffer was Mint-warden in conjunction with him as Mintmaster. Bibliography. — Ammon, op. cit. — J. V. Kull, Aus bayerisc...
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OEFENER, FRANZ (Germ.). Mint-master at Heidelberg and Mannheim, circ. 1737-1749. He was first in the service of Prince Elector Karl Philipp of the Palatinate, and later, from about 1743, in that of Prince Elector Karl Theodor. His issues are usually signed O. F. Schlickeysen spells his name OFFNER and places the date of his activity between 1732 and 1750. At Mannheim, Wigand Schäffer was Mint-warden in conjunction with him as Mintmaster. Bibliography. — Ammon, op. cit. — J. V. Kull, Aus bayerisc...
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OERTEL, OTTO
OERTEL, OTTO (Germ.). Founder († 1892) of a Die-sinking Establishment at Berlin, now carried on under the style of BERLINER MEDAILLEN-MÜNZE OTTO OERTEL. This firm has a good reputation for the production of medals, and their works are organised with the most up-to-date machinery. Amongst the best productions of the Berlin Medallic Mint are : The Kaiser Wilhelm's Errinerungs Medaille (granted by the Emperor William II. for the Army and Navy); — Prize Medals and Plaquettes of the Düsseldorf Exhi...
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OERTEL, OTTO (Germ.). Founder († 1892) of a Die-sinking Establishment at Berlin, now carried on under the style of BERLINER MEDAILLEN-MÜNZE OTTO OERTEL. This firm has a good reputation for the production of medals, and their works are organised with the most up-to-date machinery. Amongst the best productions of the Berlin Medallic Mint are : The Kaiser Wilhelm's Errinerungs Medaille (granted by the Emperor William II. for the Army and Navy); — Prize Medals and Plaquettes of the Düsseldorf Exhi...
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OEXLEIN, CHRISTIAN DANIEL
OEXLEIN, CHRISTIAN DANIEL (Germ.). Mint-engraver, and Medallist, who was working at Ratisbon, circa 1712-1759. His signature occurs on undated and dated Ducats, Double Thalers, Thalers, Gulden, &c. of that city, and also on medals, in one or other of the various forms : Ö; — Ö. F.; — C. D. O. ; — C. D. OE.; — C. D. OEXL.; — C. D. ÖXLEIN, &c. Nagler and Müller give the date of his death as 1737, but this is no doubt an error as the signature : C. D. OEXL. occurs at least as late as 1745. By him...
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OEXLEIN, CHRISTIAN DANIEL (Germ.). Mint-engraver, and Medallist, who was working at Ratisbon, circa 1712-1759. His signature occurs on undated and dated Ducats, Double Thalers, Thalers, Gulden, &c. of that city, and also on medals, in one or other of the various forms : Ö; — Ö. F.; — C. D. O. ; — C. D. OE.; — C. D. OEXL.; — C. D. ÖXLEIN, &c. Nagler and Müller give the date of his death as 1737, but this is no doubt an error as the signature : C. D. OEXL. occurs at least as late as 1745. By him...
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OEXLEIN, JOHANN LEONHARD
OEXLEIN, JOHANN LEONHARD (Germ.). A celebrated Medallist, and Gem-engraver, born in 1715 at Nuremberg, died there in 1787. He first learned the principles of the art with a relative, Christian Daniel Oexlein, to whom he was apprenticed as a boy. He later perfected himself at Vienna, where he became acquainted with Bengt Richter, the Swedish Engraver, who was then working for the Imperial House, and with the Italian artist, Sennaro. In 1737, says Nagler, he was appointed Mint-master at Ratisbon,...
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OEXLEIN, JOHANN LEONHARD (Germ.). A celebrated Medallist, and Gem-engraver, born in 1715 at Nuremberg, died there in 1787. He first learned the principles of the art with a relative, Christian Daniel Oexlein, to whom he was apprenticed as a boy. He later perfected himself at Vienna, where he became acquainted with Bengt Richter, the Swedish Engraver, who was then working for the Imperial House, and with the Italian artist, Sennaro. In 1737, says Nagler, he was appointed Mint-master at Ratisbon,...
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