WEB AUCTION 106: Glittica

A lot of 2 roman rings set with jasper and agate intaglios. Varia.

2nd century A.D.
Intaglio 12x14 mm ; ring US size 5 ; intaglio 7x8,5; ring US size 5

On top, iron ring rounded without and within with broader shoulder and large oval bezel set with a fine jasper intaglio depicting a quadriga. Some chips on the stone. Deposit and oxydation on the ring. The bronze ring rounded within and angular shoulders, the oval bezel set with an agate intaglio depicting a bird. Intact.

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U.K. private collection

A lot of 2 agate scarabs.

2nd century B.C. - 2nd century A.D.
9x12x8 mm; 7,5x13,5x6 mm

From left to right: the oval flat base with a heron, behind the caduceus and latin letters « A-M » ; a warrior facing left with a shield. Use of globular elements.

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Priapic scene.

2nd-3rd century A.D.
9x12x3 mm

The standing male character is turned to the left and is depicted in the act of worshipping a priapean phallic herm. Apotropaic and votive scene referable to the cult of Priapus. Slight wear marks.

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U.K. private collection

A roman agate carnelian intaglio. Priapic scene.

2nd century A.D.
11x13,5x4 mm

The scene depicts a male character seated facing right intercessing with an hermaic idole in front of him. The presence of a tail behind the character suggests that he is a satyre. Groundline. Small chips on the edge.

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U.K. private collection

A rare roman amethyst intaglio. Metamorphosis.

1st-2nd Century A.D.
9x12x4 mm

A male character, facing left, is depicted in the act of picking a bunch of grapes from the plant. This plant, characterized by leaves and bunches, ends in a gigantic bunch, from which the character surprisingly emerges. Below, a quadruped standing on the plant, presumably a dog or a feline (panther, symbol of Dionysios ?). This unusual scene is apparently unique, probably referable to the Metamorphoses and the Dionysian context of intoxication and abundance. The stone is characterized by a vivid and luminous color. Very deep carved, despite its small size. Slight signs of wear. Very rare subject.

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Ritual scene.

2nd century A.D.
8x12x3 mm

The scene is symmetrically composed. On the right, a partially draped female offerer putting offerings on a small altar (she also holds a thyrsus with ribbons flying in the air); in the center, a column with an idol on it, presumably Dionysos with attributes; on the left a satyr with pedum proceeds to the left, like a dionysiac procession. A black vein of the stone coincides with the exact half of the scene, specially chosen for an aesthetic and compositional purpose. Signs of wear.

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U.K. private collection

A roman agate carnelian intaglio with dark inclusions. Two horsemen.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.
11x15x3 mm

Both characters are facing each other on their horses, wearing helmets, spears, and shields. Groundline. Wear marks. Nice vivid color of the stone with some dark inclusions.

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Bucolic scene.

2nd century A.D.
12,5x15x6 mm

The male character is seated under an olive tree facing left. His left extended toward the back of a goat. The stone is chipped on the edge (missing the upper part of the goat). Wear marks.

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U.K. private collection

An Italic garnet intaglio. Warrior.

2nd - 1st century B.C.
10x13x3 mm

The helmeted soldier faces right, one knee resting on the ground. The character holds two shields, in a pose that recalls the iconography of the Dying Otriade, typical of italic glyptic. Above, a shield with a Gorgone’s mask, apotropaic value. Groundline. Presence of small globular elements. Signs of wear. Attractive stone color.

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U.K. private collection

A roman green chalcedony intaglio set in a postclassical gold ring. Bonus Eventus.

2nd century A.D.
Intaglio 5x8 mm ; US ring size 6.5 ; 5,08 grs

Hoop rounded without and flatten within with boarder shoulders, the oval bezel set with an intaglio depicting the figure of Bonus Eventus. The divinity is presented standing, facing left with his attributes. Groundline.

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U.K. private collection

A roman agate intaglio mounted in a modern gold ring. Winged victory.

2nd century A.D.
Intaglio 10x12 mm ; US size ring 7.5 ; 12 grs 

With rounded hoop and broaded shoulders. The oval bezel set with an intaglio showing a winged Victory. The goddess is standing and facing right. In her hands she holds a wreath. 

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Mars.

2nd century A.D.
9x12x4 mm

The helmeted god is standing and facing left characterized by a crested helmet and a spear, holding a trophy. Slight wear marks on the surface of the stone.

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U.K. private collection

A roman glass intaglio. Bacchus.

1st century A.D.
10x14x4 mm

Standing and facing right. He hold the thyrsus in his left hand and the panther cloack on his shoulders.

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U.K. private collection

A lot of 2 roman glass intaglios.

2nd century A.D.
7x8x2 mm ; 9x10x2,5 mm

From left to right; Fortuna-Tyche standing right ; Astrological scene with head of Helios. Chips on the edge.

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U.K. private collection

An italic fossilized chalcedony scarab. Horseman.

3rd - 2nd century B.C.
11x16x4 mm

Running horse facing left, riding by a wounded soldier with an arrow in his chest. The head slightly down and turned behind, indicates the wound is probably mortal. Allegory of militar honour in the death. The warrior is naked as the greek heros and wears an helmet withcheek-pads like the italic soldiers. Dotted frame on the edge. Use of globular elements. Pierced lenghtwise. Rare variety of fossilized chalcedony (madreporico). Signs of wears.

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Military votive scene.

2nd century A.D.
14x17x3 mm

The general, probably an emperor, faces left. His right hand holds a patera, on an altar with a lit fire; the left holds a spear and a cloth. The character wears full armor, with shoes and a laurel wreath on his head. Good-luck votive scene. Chipped on the edge. Nice vivid color.

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Mars Gradivus.

2nd century A.D.
10x13x3 mm

The god of war is moving left carrying a trophy on his shoulders and holding a spear in his hands. Groundline. Nice execution of the figure. Slight chip on the edge. Slight wear marks.

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Artemis.

2nd century A.D.
11x13x3 mm

The goddess is standing facing right. She wears a long chiton and holds an arrow with her right hand meanwhile her right arm is leaning on a plinth. At her feet, a deer looking toward her. Groundline. Small chip on the edge. Wear marks on the surface of the stone.

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U.K. private collection

A roman agate carnelian intaglio. Winged Victory.

2nd century A.D.
8x10x3 mm

The character is standing and facing left. With long wing, she wears a voluminous dress and cloak. She holds with her left hand a laurel wreath, with her right hand a long ear of corn. Groundline. Wear marks.

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Fortuna Tyche.

2nd century A.D.
10x11x3 mm

The goddess is standing, turned to the right. In her right hand she holds the cornucopia and the rudder. Groundline.

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio with dark inclusions. Fortuna-Tyche.

2nd century A.D.
9x10x4 mm

The goddess is facing right with her typical attributes. Groundline. Small crack on the lower part of the stone. The stone with a vivid orange color is characterized by small dark inclusions.

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U.K. private collection

A roman agate carnelian intaglio. Toilette scene.

2nd century A.D.
13x15x3 mm

The female character is seated facing left. The upper part of her body naked. She wears a folded drapery covering her legs and sustained by a raised left arm. Her hair are pulled back and adorned by a band. In front of her, an amphora. Groundline. Small chip on the edge. Nice color of the stone with darker shades and inclusions.

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U.K. private collection

A roman agate intaglio. Apollo with a snake.

2nd century A.D.
10x14x3 mm

The god is standing, facing left, slightly bent forward. With his right hand he holds the bow, while with his left he holds an arrow (the quiver on his shoulders). At his feet, a snake. Small groundline. Slight wear marks.

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U.K. private collection

A roman banded agate intaglio mounted on a modern gold ring set with brillants. Winged Victory.

1st century A.D. 
Intaglio 12x15 mm ; US size ring 7 ; 15 grs 

The ring shows a rounded hoop flatten within with rectangular terminals each set with three brilliants. The oval bezel set with a large banded agate intaglio showing a winged Victory standing in movement and facing left. She wears a long chiton and himation. The left arm toward, she holds a laurel wreath, meanwhile her right hand holds a branch. Groundline. 

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Eros and Anteros.

1st century A.D.
10x12x3 mm

The two winged creatures, intent in the struggle, are naked and are both characterized by thick hair. An erote attacks from behind his opponent, blocking his hands on his back and making him his prisoner. Anteros, taken prisoner, appears defeated and with his head tilted forward. Below, a bow and a quiver, the reason for the dispute: the arms of Love. Groundline. Delicious scene composed with grace and irony. Interesting stylistic rendering. Wear marks.

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Dyonisiac scene.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.
11x12x2 mm

The scene depicts a male figure adoring a phallic herm (Priapo), his left knee bent. He wears a cloak, holding a stick in his left arm. Behind him, a large bell-krater, symbol of the dionysiac world. Various small chips on the stone.

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Bucolic scene.

2nd century A.D.
14x10x2 mm

An old shepherd watches over two grazing cows advancing to the left. In the background, a plant. Light chipping on the edge. Bucolic scene. Slight wear marks.

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Shepherd with a goat.

2nd-3rd century A.D.
12x15x3 mm

The character, facing left, wears a cloak and leans on a stick. At his feet, a goat. Bucolic scene. Groundline. Attractive color of the stone.

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U.K. private collection

A roman chalcedony intaglio set in later gold swivel ring. Dancing satyr.

1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.
intaglio 13x17x4 mm ; US ring size 11 ; 11,6 grs

This fine intaglio is certainly inspired by a famous ancient statuary model, magnificently engraved in ancient times on a sardonyx, preserved in Paris, Cabinet des Médailles-BN, inv. 58,1648. Mounted on a gold swivel ring with octogonal bezel, this chalcedony depicts a dancing satyr in the same pose, holding the thyrsus with his left hand and holding a lion (or panther) skin with his right one. The left foot is elegantly lifted backwards with a dancing step. The anatomical details of the face and of the body, with the use of globular elements (eye, etc), are referable to the late roman republican glyptic production. Beautiful shades and color of the stone. Wear marks.
Cfr.: Chabouillet, Anatole. Catalogue général et raisonné des camées et pierres gravées de la Bibliothèque impériale. Paris : 1858, n°1648.
Mariette, Pierre-Jean. Traité des Pierres gravées. Paris : 1750, t.II, n°XL.
Plantzos, D.. Hellenistic engraved Gems. Oxford : 1999, n°434.
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U.K. private collection

An egypto-roman amethyst scarab mounted on a modern gold ring. 

1st - 2nd century A.D.
Scarab 12x16x9 mm ; US size ring 5 ; 6 grs

Rounded hoop with spherical terminals, the bezel embracing the shape of the scarab with stylized features. Nice deep color of the stone. 

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U.K. private collection

A large late hellenistic gilted bronze ring set with glass paste.

1st century B.C.
Glass 13x15 mm ; ring 21x16 mm ; 17,36 grs

Oval hoop, convex without, concave within. It broadens out widely at the head. The bezel is in the form of a raised gold hollow disk soldered to the head of the ring, with a dark glass.


Parallel: Antiken Gemmen in Deutschen Sammlungen, Band. IV, T.36, n°236, inv. K 1349
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U.K. private collection

A roman gold ring. Inscription.

2nd-3rd century A.D.
Bezel 6x5x1 mm ; ring diam. 16x20 mm; 3,68 grs

ER-MES engraved on the small oval bezel (ERMES, engraved inverted, in order to be correctly read on the cast). Slight wear marks.

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U.K. private collection

A greek hellenistic gold ring. Knot of Hercules.

4th-3rd century BC.
diam. 16,5 mm ; gr. 0,50

The refined work is characterized by a small knot of Hercules flanked on both sides by two hollow drop decorations, ending with a spherical element. Very thin rod. Excellent state of preservation. Magna Grecia.

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U.K. private collection

A roman pair of gold earrings with disc and pendants.

2nd century A.D.
H. 32 mm ; 4,24 grs

Hoop with discoid plaque, loop beneath with breloque and granule, ending in spirals.

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U.K. private collection

A merovingian gold ring with a garnet.

6th-7th century A.D.
Bezel 10x7,5x1,5 mm ; US size ring 4.5 ; 0,8 grs

Thin hoop made of a single gold wire and surmonted by a diamond-shaped gold box set with a thin garnet.

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U.K. private collection

A roman bronze octogonal ring.

3rd century A.D.
Diam 21 mm

The hoop is externally polygonal with eight external facetes (octagonal) and internally circular. Each face has a zodiac sign; it is possible to recognize the symbols of the twins, fishes, capricorn, ram, lion. Ring "Henig type IX". Wear marks. Rare. For parallels: M. Henig, A Corpus of Roman Engraved Gemstones From British Sites, 1974. Cfr. examples on the PAS database, SF-193154, HAMP-4A3EA7.

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U.K. private collection

A roman republican agate intaglio. Allegorical emblem.

1st century B.C.
9x11x3 mm

Caduceus with small wings crossed with a thyrsus and a poppy flower. Allegory of strenght and power. Wear marks.

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U.K. private collection

An italic banded agate intaglio. Lyra.

2nd century B.C.
15x18x3 mm

The musical instrument is characterized by a case with a tortoise shell, from which hang some ornaments. Above, a butterfly, symbol of soul and elegance. Presence of globular elements. Beautiful variety of banded agate. Signs of wear.

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U.K. private collection

A late roman nicolo intaglio. Chi Rho.

4th - 5th century A.D.
8x11x3 mm

In the center of the stone, the Chi-Rho — the early Christian symbol.

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U.K. private collection

A lot of 2 roman intaglios. Inscriptions.

1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.
8x11x2 mm ; 10x10x3 mm

Lot consisting of two gems with inscriptions. Il nicolo with inscription L / IVL - TVTI, with laurel wreath and chipping on the edge; the carnelian with the inscription W (as omega? or M in reverse) / EVTVA / C. Signs of wear.

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Inscription.

2nd-3rd century A.D.
12x10x4 mm

Octogonal bezel. Slight wear marks.

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Trophy.

1st - 2nd century A.D.
8,5x11,5x3 mm

Composed with an armour, helmet, and shields. Groundline. For similar subject, see the imperial coinage. Attractive vivid color of ths stone.

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U.K. private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Allegorical emblema.

2nd-3rd century A.D.
10x12x3 mm

In the center, two clasped hands in the dextrarum junctio, holding a kalathos containing two ears of corn and two poppy flowers. On the sides, two cornucopias each surmounted by a parrot with poppy flower. Allegorical emblem referring to good luck and abundance. Slight wear marks. Chipping on the edge.

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U.K. private collection

A roman italic banded agate intaglio. Allegorial emblema.

2nd-1st century B.C.
9x15x2 mm

The auspicious depiction is formed by a cornucopia, a globe and a palm branch. Use of globular elements. Slight wear marks and little crack in the stone

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U.K. private collection

A roman agate intaglio. Cornucopia.

2nd century A.D.
8x10,5x2 mm

Cornucopia with ribbons on each side. Small chips on the edge.

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U.K. private collection

An early roman republican banded agate intaglio. Allegorical emblema.

2nd-1st century B.C.
7x12x2,5 mm

Italic allegorical emblem composed by a rudder, surmounted by a bird and flanked by a scepter, probably a thyrsus. Presence of globular elements. Signs of wear and damaged edge.

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U.K. private collection

A late roman two-layered agate cameo. Dextrarum Junctio.

1st-2nd Century A.D.
8,5x13x4 mm

The junctio of these two hands symbolize union and loyalty. Usually use to represents alliances or commemorate a wedding. Nice colour of the stone with honey-brownish shades. Wear marks.

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U.K. private collection

A roman magical carnelian intaglio. Serapis with foot and snake.

2nd century A.D.
7x10x3 mm

Allegorical composition with a portrait of Serapis facing left, beneath a foot with an intertwined snake joining the god’s head. Slight wear marks on the surface of the stone. Chip on the edge.
See Cabinet des Médailles, inv. 58.2027
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U.K. private collection