Auction 86 - Glyptics and Ancient Jewelry

A fine roman carnelian applique-cameo. Frontal head of a lion.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

18 x 20 x 12 mm

Lion’s head in frontal position, slightly open jaws; and visible teeth. The snout is marked by carved lines for the lips hair and the center of the fronthead presents wrinkles. The eyes are wide-open and globular, emphasizing the ferocity of the animal. The mane is arranged neatly in a radial pattern around the snout, short locks divided by curvilinear incisions. The ears are rounded in a regular hollow. The artifact is carved in high relief with great skill and reminds the hardstone phaleras with lion’s head. The back is concave, and dug deep. Even the half-open mouth has a through-hole between the teeth. However, this carnelian specimen cannot be considered as a phalera, as it is very delicate and small in size, with no fixing holes. The iconographic typology, however, recalls the bronze phaleras or masks fixed on the doors. Its function could therefore be ornamental, perhaps for a jewel, boxe or a precious clothing, being also particularly light and emptied and therefore easy to wear. The stone shows signs of wear. For the not common phalera with lion’s head in frontal position, the model must be identified, in addition to the already known bronze lion’s head phaleras, both in the sculptural production (lion’s masks set on marble sarcophagis of the late imperial production-oriental workshops), and in the bronze studs that held the rings to knock on the doors (so-called “roman lion head door knocker”). An interesting comparison also comes from the glyptic collections of the Kunsthistorisches Museum of Vienna: chalcedony phalera-cameo, frontal lion’s head, n. inv. X 11, light blue chalcedony with opalescent tones, dated II-III century A.D. (from Coll. Joseph de France - Baroness K. von Hess 1808).



UK private collection, London.

A fine roman carnelian intaglio. Sow.

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

10 x 12 x 5 mm

The heavy seated sow with four teats, facing left. At right, a tree with globular- style leaves. Motif situated on a curved ground line that connects to the trunk of the tree-branch. Use of globular elements. Intaglio executed with art and great skill. Attractive color of the stone. Slight wear marks. Chipping on the edge.

See: Museum of Fine Art, Boston, inv. 98.739

U.K., private collection 80's, London.

A roman carnelian intaglio. The she-wolf with the twins.

1st-2nd century A.D.

8 x 10 x 5 mm

The allegorical scene is referred to the founding myths of the ancient Rome, one of the most emblematic. The twins Romolus and Remus are feeding on the animal’s breasts; she is facing left but with her head turned to the right to protect the two infants. Groundline. According to tradition, Rome was founded in 753 B.C. by the twins Romulus and Remus. Sons of Mars and a mortal woman named Rhea Silvia, the twins were abandoned by their uncle in the Tibur river. A she-wolf discovered them on the banks of the river and feeded them until they were taken in by a passing sheperd, Faustulus. The representation of the wolf feeding the twins became a popular subject in Roman Republican and Imperial art. Slight wear marks. Chipping on the edge. Attractive color of the stone.

Parallels: The Metropolitan Museum of New York Database, inv. 41.160.693.

U.K. private collection

A roman republican carnelian intaglio. Two cicadas fighting as gladiators.

1st century B.C.

17 x 21 x 3,5 mm

The two insects fight vigorously using gladiators weapons. The cicada on the left protects itself with a shield and raises the sword to hit its opponent, who fights with a spear and a shield. Both insects are finely engraved in detail, with the use of the typical mirror-polished globular elements. Groundline. Traces of letters in the field, partly erased due to the ancient wear marks of the stone surface. Attractive size and color of the stone. Slight crack in the lower left corner of the stone.
Rare subject referable to the late republican repertoire of insects that perform human actions.

Parallels: Antike Gemmen in Deutschen Sammlungen, Band II, Staatliche Museen Preubischer Kultubesitz Antikenabteilung- Berlin, n. 424-425, inv. FG6525- 24.

U.K., private collection 80's, London.

An unusual roman carnelian intaglio. Six boars.

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

9,5 x 11 x 1,5 mm

An extraordinary representation of six wild boars seen in profile, facing left, one behind the other in perspective. It is possible to see the whole body in foreground, and just the snout, back and curled tail for the others. Groundline. The intaglio is performed with great skill considering also the size of the stone. Use of globular elements. Mirror polishing. Attractive vivid color of the stone. Slight wear marks. Rare.



U.K., private collection 80's.

A roman rock crystal microsculpture. Fish.

1st-3rd century A.D.

L : 48 mm

The animal with flat back, elongated body, a short serrated tail, and engraved fin; a rounded eye, a slightly open-mouth with a little through hole. Colorless crystal, with internal inclusions and patina deposits on the surface. Wear marks. Probably a game-counter or an amulet.

Parallels : U. Pannuti, Catalogo della collezione glittica, Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, vol. 1, p. 154 n. 283, 284, 285 ss.; British Museum database: inv. 1814,0704.1132 ss.

European private collection.

A roman rock crystal microsculpture. Cicada.

1st-3rd century A.D.

Dim : 40 x 17 mm

The insect has an elongated body, with parallel or crossed grooves engraved for both body segments and wings. Big bulging eyes. Lack on one wing. Wear marks. Extremely clear and bright stone.



U.K. private collection, London.

A roman rock crystal microsculpture. Cicada.

1st-3rd century A.D.

L : 36 mm

The insect has a large and stocky body, with parallel or crossed grooves engraved for both the body segments and the wings. Big bulging eyes (one is missing). Lack on one wing. Signs of wear. Extremely clear and bright stone.

Parallels : U. Pannuti, Catalogo della collezione glittica, Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, vol. 1, p. 162 n. 300 ss.

European private collection.

A roman italic banded agate intaglio. Bird with attributes.

2nd-1st century B.C.

9 x 13 x 2 mm

The animal is seated on the top of a case, near a poppy flower and a pedum. Allegorical emblema composed by funerary and bucolic attributes. Use of globular elements. Wear marks.



U.K. private collection

A rare eastern roman onyx intaglio. Allegorical emblema.

1st - 3rd century A.D.

12 x 17 x 3 mm

The representation is characterized by a stylized and symmetrical emblem structure, depicting racemes of grapes with bunches; in the center, probably a thyrsus or a scepter referable to the Dionysiac sphere. The unusual composition is known from some rare specimens, probably referable to eastern regions. Attractive variety of stone, finely engraved. The back has a chipped surface.

Parallels: Antiken Gemmen in deutschen sammlungen, band I, Staatliche Munzsammlung Munchen, teil 3, p. 116 n. 2879.

European private collection.

A roman carnelian intaglio. Allegorical emblema.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

10 x 12 x 3 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.



U.K. private collection

A roman heliotrope intaglio. Allegorical emblema.

2nd century A.D.

9 x 11 x 2 mm

In the center, a basket (kalathos) containing two ears of corn and a poppy flower. On the sides, according to a symmetrical composition, two cornucopias with globe. Allegory of abundance and prosperity. Beautiful variety of stone with vivid red inclusions. Slight wear marks.



U.K., private collection 80's, London.