Auction 86 - Glyptics and Ancient Jewelry

A roman nicolo intaglio. Faun.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

9 x 11 x 2,5 mm

The character advances to the right, holding a bunch of grapes and the pedum. Short groundline. Slight wear marks.



U.K private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Priapic scene.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

9 x 12 x 3 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.



U.K private collection, London.

A roman nicolo intaglio set in an ancient gold ring. Faun.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

intaglio : 10 x 13 mm
ring : 22 x 19 mm
9,17 g

Turned on the left, holding the pedum and offerings in his left hand. The intaglio is set on a large flatten hoop, ending on an large oval bezel decorated with 6 globules on each side.



U.K. private collection 1985. Formerly in Arthur Sambon (1867-1947) collection.

A roman carnelian intaglio mounted in a modern gold ring. Bucolic fight scene.

2nd-3rd century A.D.

Intaglio : 8 x 11 mm
Ring : 15 x 14 mm
4,74 g

Pan collides with a goat that throws itself against him, raising its anterior legs. A tree in left; below, a laurel wreath (symbol of victory) interrupts the groundline. Interesting work with an allegorical meaning. Slightly convex setting. Wear marks.




U.K private collection, London.

A romana agate intaglio. Satyr and a vase.

1st century B.C. - 2nd century A.D.

14 x 18 x 4 mm

The young naked figure is seated facing left, raising an arm as in the pose of contemplation. In front of him, an elegant amphora-shaped vase characterized by two handles with an acute angle (similar to the type of trozzella). An unusual double-ended attribute hangs from the satyr's genital area (similar to an insect). Apparently unpublished iconography, to be identified. Wear marks.



U.K private collection

A roman banded agate intaglio. Seated reader.

2nd century A.D.

10 x 13 x 3 mm

The character is seated on a crossed legs chair. He holds a papyrus near the face, reading it with attention.
Traces of iron mounting. Wear marks. Attractive color of the stone. Rare.



U.K private collection

A fine roman carnelian intaglio. Satyr with attributes.

1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.

11 x 13 x 1 mm

The young satyr is standing with crossed legs, elegantly leaning against a column. The figure, inspired by the hellenistic models, is slightly three-quarters while the head is in profile. With his right hand he holds ribbons and a very gnarled curved stick (pedum) while with his left a large bunch of grapes. Small groundline. The intaglio is done with great technical and artistic skill. The pose is elegant and soft in the modeling of the anatomy. Attractive variety of stone zoned between light yellow and orange. Wear marks.



U.K private collection, London.

An unusual roman eight-layers banded agate cameo. Actor with mask and laurel wreath.

1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.

7 x 9 x 3 mm

The elderly theatrical actor advances to the right, wearing a tunic skillfully engraved in the dark layer of the agate, unlike his body. With his left hand he holds a theatrical mask with the profile facing upwards, while with his left hand he holds a laurel wreath, symbol of victory and agonal triumph. This small cameo, expertly engraved on an unusual eight-layers agate, shows signs of wear and traces of a mounting on the edge. Rare and unpublished.



U.K private collection, London.

A roman nicolo intaglio. Athlete with herm.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

10 x 12 x 2 mm

The victorious character is standing, slightly in three quarters, with his right hand on his side and his left hand holding a laurel branch, a symbol of triumph. To his right, a bearded herm. Groundline. The muscular anatomy of the athlete is well engraved, according to a spontaneous sense of volumes. Attractive vivid color of the stone. Slight wear marks.



U.K private collection

A roman red jasper intaglio. Hephaestus.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

Intaglio : 9 x 11 mm Mounting : 12 x 18 mm

The character holds the tongs with his right hand, the hammer with his left. At his feet, a basket containing metal planchet-flan for minting coins (?). The figure wears a tunic and is characterized by the aspect of Hephaestus, with a thick beard and pileus headdres (a coin coiner?). Groundline. A black grain runs through the stone. Attractive vivid color of jasper. Fragmentary iron ring mounting. Rare iconography.



European private collection.

A roman carnelian intaglio. Cybele.

2nd-3rd century A.D.

12 x 15 x 3 mm

The syncretic figure is seated on the throne, wearing a tunic and a tourreted crown, holding a sceptre with the right hand, an attribute with the left. At her feet, lions. Cybele or Berecyntia, also known as Madre Montagna. Chips on the edge and traces of burns. Wear marks. Very rare.

Parallels:
Penn Museum database, inv. 29-128-908.

U.K private collection

A roman red jasper intaglio. Bust of Athena.

3rd century A.D.

10 x 13 x 2,5 mm

The helmated deity is turned to the left, wearing the egida. Slight wear marks and little trace of burning on the right.



U.K private collection