Cicero 1805 - 1825

This cameo of Cicero was carved by Niccolò Cerbara in the 19th century. It presents us with a profile of the famed Roman statesman and orator, immortalized in miniature. The profile, a convention stretching back to ancient coins and busts, signifies the enduring legacy of the individual. Across time, we see leaders and thinkers rendered in profile. Consider the Renaissance portraits emulating classical ideals, or even modern-day currency, where the profile continues to denote authority and remembrance. It is more than a likeness; it’s a carefully constructed symbol. This depiction reminds us of our innate, perhaps subconscious, desire to connect with the past and preserve the memory of influential figures. The cameo, small enough to be worn, suggests a personal connection, a desire to carry the weight of history with us. The image of Cicero as a cameo is not merely a static representation, but rather a continuous and dynamic dialogue between the classical past and the present.