GLYPTICS ANCIENT JEWELRY

A Restrung New Kingdom faience necklace with an engraved scarab. Formed by several faience cylindrical beads and a central pendant scarab. Suspension hoop (modern). On the back the scarab is engraved with hieroglyphs. Beautiful conservation. Ca. 1200 B.C. Scarab 10 x 15 x 5 mm, Max. leght 41 cm

A Bactrian agate "magical eye" bead. The long convex oval stone is a three-layers agate also call « eye bead » since the natural layers of the stone reminds an eye with apotropaic power. Parallel: for a similar bead see Christie’s NY, December 6th 2007, lot 466 Early 1st millenium B.C. 22 x 38 x 13 mm.

A Western Asia carnelian stylized amulet. Pierced lenghtwise both sides and engraved with stylized geometrical pattern. Wear marks. Ca. 2nd Millennium B.C. 32 x 40 x 8 mm

A large black jasper Phoenician engraved scarab. Unusual fantastic creature formed by two symmetrical dromedary protomes (?), each facing in opposite directions. Dotted frame. Signs of wear. Interesting subject. 5th-4th century B.C. circa 15 x 21 x 7 mm

An etruscan chalcedony intaglio. Hercules. Judging by the look of the back of the stone, it must have been an ancient scarab, then cut and flattened (probably due to an accident or a defect in the stone). Hercules with his club, collecting water from a fountain in an amphora. The hero is standing naked and turned left toward a source from which a fine jet of water flows into his amphora. In his right hand, the club. On either side of his shoulders, globes. Hatched border. Despite the reuse of the stone, the execution of the engraving figure shows great details and skills. The rendering volumes of the body as well as for the club and amphora, and the details of the face show the high quality of the intaglio. Use of globular elements. Parallels: J. Boardman, Intaglios and rings. Greek, Etruscan and Eastern from a private collection, n. 139-140, 150; P. Zazoff, ES, n. 66-67. Late 4th - early 3rd century B.C. 12x16x3 mm

A large italic obsidian intaglio. Boar. Large stone, chipped at the top. The animal has its typical massive build with globular incised details. Damaged but fascinating stone. Subject inspired by Greek and than by the Etruscan models, but slightly later. Wear marks. BC 20 x 26 x 5 mm

An Italic banded agate intaglio. Allegorical emblema. A bird on a rudder, with a sceptrum. Wear marks and ancient resize of the edge on the upper part. 2nd-1st century B.C. 7 x 12 x 2 mm

A Roman late republican banded agate intaglio. Boar. A beautiful depiction of a wild boar running to the left. Unfortunately the gem is damaged, with a portion of the lower right stone (on the hind legs) broken and glued. Wear marks. Late 1st century B.C. 11 x 15 x 4 mm

An Italic banded agate intaglio. Hand holding two cornucopias. The hand is holding two cornucopias, characterized by globular elements. Wear marks. 2nd-1st century B.C. 10 x 13 x 2,5 mm

A Roman banded agate intaglio. Allegorical emblema with a butterfly. Very fine and elegant allegorical emblem with a butterfly resting on an object to be identified (ampoule?). Slight wear marks. 1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D. 8 x 10 x 2 mm.

A Roman cabochon carnelian intaglio. Female bust. Possibly the bust of Artemis, with the quiver and the harrows on the shoulder. Use of globular elements. Wear marks. 1st century B.C. 11 x 15 x 5 mm

A fine Roman republican carnelian intaglio. Head of Hermes.
The deity wears the winged petasus, facing left, with his attributes. Behind the neck, the caduceus. In front, the coin purse. Particularly refined execution, with very small globular elements that date this work to the late republican age. Vivid red color and mirror polish. Splendid portrait of Mercury. Slight wear marks Late 1st century B.C. 12 x 15 x 3 mm.

An Italic agate intaglio. Gryllos. Magical -apotropaic composition of three theatrical masks: two are youthful and the third of Silenus. Slightly cabochon stone. Use of globular elements. Signs of wear. 2nd - 1st century B.C. 12,5 x 13 x 3 mm

A large Roman carnelian intaglio. Leda with the swan Beautiful depiction of Leda with the swan, inspired by Ovid's Metamorphoses. The figure is naked, sitting on the ground, on a drapery, half-reclining and with her elbow resting on a rock covered by the same cloth that she holds in her right hand. The swan approaches, spreading its wings, as a sign of amorous desire. The two figures look at each other. In the background, the letters MAT-PAV, possibly the name of the ancient owner; a crescent moon with a star give this gem a magical-erotic power. Small missing or chipped edges. Wear marks. Fine execution, with traces of small globular elements. Deep red color. Large stone.

Early 1st century A.D. 18 x 22 x 3 mm

A Roman agate intaglio. Canopus vase with a bust of Horus. A canopic jar in front of a bust of Horus. Egyptianizing subject. Damaged stone with a lack. Wear marks. 1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D. 14 x 15 x 2 mm

A Roman carnelian intaglio. Griffin with deer. The hunting scene consists of a winged griffin attacking a deer that has fallen to the ground. The composition is inspired by classical Greek models. Groundline. Slight wear marks 2nd - 3rd century A.D. 13 x 18 x 6 mm.

A Roman carnelian intaglio. Bust of an herm. Refined bust of an herm of Dionios facing left, with an interesting monogram to be identified. Wear marks. 1st century A.D. 9 x 12 x 2 mm

A Roman carnelian intaglio. Athena. The deity is standing, facing right, and holds a spear and shield. Beautiful color. 1st-2nd century A.D. 11 x 17 x 3 mm

A Roman carnelian intaglio. Eros on a lion. The mighty feline walks to the right, carrying a winged erote on its back. The erote grabs the lion's mane to hold on. Groundline. Allegory of AMOR OMNIA VINCIT. Slight wear marks. 1st - 2nd century A.D. 12 x 15 x 3 mm.

A Roman carnelian intaglio. Bird on a scale. A bird stands on a scale, symbol of the Harmony and of the Justice, allegory of Balance. Wear marks. 2nd - 3rd century A.D. 9,5 x 12 x 2 mm.

A Roman nicolo intaglio. Hunting scene. A lion attacks a bull, biting him on the shoulder and assaulting him from behind. The mighty quadruped folds his legs to the ground as a sign of defeat. Scene inspired by greek models. 2nd - 3rd century A.D. 10 x 12 x 2 mm.

A Roman green chalcedony intaglio. Lion killing a boar. A lion walks over a wild boar, after killing it. Nice vivid green color. Slight wear marks. 1st - 2nd century A.D. 8,5 x 10 x 3 mm

A Roman carnelian intaglio. Dog with prey. Hunting scene composed of a dog biting a hare. Groundline. Attractive color of the stone. Slight wear marks. 1st - 2nd century A.D. 9,5 x 12 x 3 mm.

A Roman carnelian intaglio. Sphynx. The hybrid creature is winged and facing left, with the right paw raised slightly. Interesting rendering of anatomical details. Groundline. Wear marks. 1st - 2nd century A.D. 10x15 mm