3-095-537 - "Royal Academy of Arts, London/Prudence Cuming Associates Lim"/Heritage Images

Plaster cast of a gem depicting the Roman god Neptune, (1771?). Standing figure of Neptune, god of the sea 'resting on his trident after having crowned the British navy with victory'. Cast of an intaglio doubtless celebrating the victory of the Royal Navy over the Spanish fleet during the Falklands crisis in 1770. The original piece in engraved cornelian was Edward Burch's Royal Academy of Arts diploma work. At the time Burch joined the Academy, he was already, despite being self-taught, the foremost gem engraver in Britain.