ASTA 107 - Glittica

A roman agate intaglio. Trophy.

2nd century A.D.

The military trophy consists of a cuirass on a pole, to which two round shields, a helmet, three spears and two swords are attached; below, two shields. Groundline. Subject also present in the coeval coinage. Slight wear marks.

14 x 17 x 5 mm.

A roman garnet intaglio. Jug.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

The oval elongated cabochon stone is engraved with a trifoiled jug, the beak towards left, with deep carved globular body and high foot. Groundline. Mirror polishing and wear marks. Beautiful red color.

10x15x5 mm

A roman carnelian intaglio set in a gold ring. Allegory of Zeus Sarapis.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

Above is a bust of Sarapis; below is an eagle between two standards with victories. Groundline under the eagle. Large chip on the edge. Slight wear marks. Parallel: G. M. A. Richter, Catalogue of Engraved Gems, Greek. Etruscan and Roman, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY, p. 260 n. 259.

Stone 13 x 18 mm; ring size diam. 19 mm; 12,42 gr.

A roman carnelian intaglio. Sea scene.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

Rare and unusual representation of a character with an oar (or rudder, or scepter?) that comes out of a shell. Small chips on the edge. Probably from the marine Thiasos of Poseidon.

8 x 9,5 x 3 mm.

A roman carnelian intaglio. Gryllos.

2nd century A.D.

The hybrid creature is characterized by a bust of Athena whose helmet is made up of two joined heads of Silenus; on the shoulder, a theatrical mask and on the chest an erote mask. Interesting apotropaic composition. Attractive color of the stone.

9 x 11 x 4 mm.

A roman red jasper intaglio set in an ancient gold ring. Gryllos.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

The hybrid creature is composed of an eagle's body, to which two heads are joined. The head in front can be identified with young a satyr, while on the back a Silenus's face. Behind, a spear. Probably a military apotropaic emblem. Ancient gold ring in good condition.

Stone 11 x 14 mm; ring size 16 x 19 mm; 5,49 gr.

A roman red jasper fragmentary intaglio mounted on a modern gold ring. Gryllos.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

The scene depicts two bearded heads (one partially missing) joining at the neck. The faces are characterized by long beard and shaved skulls with only some long hair on top dividing the two heads. The left face shows strong features— raised eyebrow, strong look with small lidded eye, aquiline nose, full lips.
The 18k gold mounting has a massive rounded hoop with broader shoulders. Rounded box-setting with circular frame. Wear marks.



Stone 7 x 8 mm; ring size 15 x 16 mm; 2,12 gr.

A roman red jasper intaglio mounted in a gold ring. Gryllos.

2nd century A.D.

Plain hollow hoop, expanding into broad shoulders and oval bezel with an oval red jasper intaglio: gryllos formed with a corinthian helmet with two male heads and bust of Minerva turned left.
Wear marks on the mounting.

Stone 7 x 9 mm; ring size 12 x 15 mm; 13,53 gr.

A roman carnelian intaglio mounted in a modern gold ring. Gryllos.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

The scene depicts a gryllos with four conjoined heads; an elephant head with a caduceus in its trunk, a Silenus head with beard, a satyre head, and head of a woman. Apotropaic intaglio with reference to Africa. The modern gold mounting is made of rounded hoop with broader shoulders and oval bezel.
Parallels: Michael Carlos Emory museum, inv. 2008.031.112

Stone 10 x 13 mm; ring size diam. 17,5 mm; 13,12 gr.

A roman three-layered agate intaglio set in a gold ring. Gryllos.

3rd century A.D.

The hoop is elliptical and expands at the shoulders with pierced holes. The raised oval box-setting is set with a large agate intaglio with a gryllos. The creature is made with Silenus and horse heads, cock legs and lower body. Groundline. Slight wear marks. Slight chip on the edge of the stone.


Stone 11 x 15 mm; ring size 16 x 18 mm; 11,07 gr.

A roman carnelian intaglio. Sphynx.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

The hybrid creature is winged and facing left, with the right paw raised slightly. Interesting rendering of anatomical details. Groundline. Wear marks. 

10x15 mm

A roman carnelian intaglio set in a gold ring. Tryton.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

The sea creature is facing left, and is characterised by a human bust on a sea horse body with a fish tail. With his right hand he holds a drap that swells with the wind; with his left a bowl. Slight signs of wear. The gem is mounted in a later ring characterized by a bezel with a twisted wire frame and two spheres to which the hoop is attached.

Stone 11 x 13 mm; ring size 16 x 17 mm; 5.13 gr.