Auction 86 - Glyptics and Ancient Jewelry

A roman carnelian intaglio. Eros on a lion.

2nd century A.D.

11 x 13 x 2 mm

The winged erote is seating on the back of a rampant lion. Depiction referred to the power love and to the strenght. Groudline. Slight wear marks. Attractive color of the stone.



U.K private collection

A roman republican garnet intaglio. Eros with a bow.

1st century B.C.

7 x 11 x 4 mm

The graceful winged figure is in the act of making a bow, his invincible weapon of love. Use of globular elements. Attractive color of the stone. Slight wear marks.



U.K. private collection, London. Property of a East London gentleman.

A roman republican agate intaglio. Eros with panoplia.

1st century B.C.

12 x 15 x 4 mm

The winged erote is depicted in the act of wearing a military sandal, next to the weapons of Mars: helmet, shield and spear. Letters around the winged figure. The carving, made on a beautiful variety of brown-colored zoned agate with honey tones, is broken into fragments and recomposed. Allegory of the Love preparing himself to the battle. Wear marks.



U.K private collection

A roman agate intaglio. Two armed pygmies near herm.

1st century A.D.

10 x 14 x 4,5 mm

A pygmy armed with a spear and a shield advances to the left, towards a seated companion, armed only with a shield, near a herm. Ground line. The two little characters seem to dialog. Scene probably inspired by a Nilotic iconography (mosaic).



U.K private collection

A roman banded agate intaglio. Warrior.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

11 x 16 x 3 mm

The standing figure is turned with the body to the right side, facing left withe the head in profile. The warrior is holding a sword with the left hand, a scabbard, a spear and a drapery with the right. Groundline. Attractive color of the stone. Slight wear marks.



U.K private collection

A roman nicolo agate intaglio. Warrior.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

12 x 17 x 4 mm

The figure facing left is wearing a cloak, holding the spear with his right hand, the helmet with his left. Groundline. Nice size and tone of the stone.



U.K private collection

A fine roman red jasper with green, yellow and transparent inclusions. A running figure with a galopping horse.

1st century B.C.

14 x 17 x 3,5 mm

The running male figure is naked and holds a spear with a small cloth in his right hand, the horse with his left (even though the bridle has not been shown). Next to him is a galloping horse with raised front legs. The scene, very interesting, is identifiable by a glass impression from a lost intaglio, that represents the same scene: a rider who gets on the horse while running with the help of the pole ("Un soldato solito di salire a cavallo coll'ajuto dell'Asta"). Extraordinary variety of the stone. Large size. Rare subject.

See parallels: L.P.B. Stefanelli, La collezione Paoletti, vol. 1, p. 154 n. 528.

U.K private collection

A roman agate intaglio. Apollo with a snake.

2nd century A.D.

10 x 14 x 3 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.



U.K private collection

A roman green chalcedony intaglio. Biga.

2nd century A.D.

5 x 7 x 1,5 mm

The racing chariot is pulled by two horses moving left. The charioteer shakes the whip with her right hand. Interesting specimen of small dimensions but rich in details. Slight wear marks. Groundline. Attractive vivid green color of the stone with chromium inclusions.



U.K private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Bucolic scene.

2nd century A.D.

14 x 10 x 2 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.



U.K private collection

A roman agate intaglio. Bucolic scene.

2nd century A.D.

10 x 12 x 2,5 mm

A shepherd, covered with a fur coat, is looking at his goat while she is climbing toward a little tree, eating a leaf. Groundline. Slight wear marks.



U.K private collection

A roman carnelian. Shepherd with a goat.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

12 x 15 x 3 mm

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



U.K. private collection