Marlborough gems explained

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 the 7th Duke of Marlborough at auction in 1875 to raise money for the maintenance of Blenheim Palace, the ancestral home.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Book: Marlborough (Duke of) , George Spencer . George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough

   . The Marlborough gems: being a collection of works in cameo and intaglio. George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough. 1870. Printed for private distribution. Oxford University.

2. Web site: The-Marlborough-Collection . 2023-05-26 . www.carc.ox.ac.uk.
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. Book: Boardman, John. The Marlborough Gems formerly at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. Scarisbrick. Diana. Wagner. Claudia. Zwierlein-Diehl. Erika. OUP. 2009. 9780199237517. Oxford.
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