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Lot Essay
Cf. G. M. A. Richter, Engraved Gems of the Romans, London, 1971, p. 76, nos. 363-6 for similar scenes, the closest parallel to the intaglio above being no. 365 in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (1892.1581); for this sard intaglio also see, A. Briers, Sporting Success in Ancient Greece and Rome, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1994, p. 37; also see M. Henig, The Lewis Collection of Gemstones, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, 1975, p. 51, no. 201; and J. H. Humphrey, Roman Circuses: Arenas for Chariot Racing, London, 1986, p. 204 ff., pl. 106, who gives a detailed commentary on this type of intaglio suggesting that the scenes may have been copied from large scale representations such as on mosaics and sculptures. The depiction of bigae is more unusual than that of quadrigae.
During the Roman period circuses were specially developed for chariot racing, the most famous being the Circus Maximus in Rome. The straight track was divided down the middle by a low wall which had a turning post at each end. The race was usually of seven laps which were counted by either egg or dolphin-shaped markers set on pillars. The winning line was marked by an obelisk half-way down the track in front of the judges or even the Emperor. Augustus erected an obelisk in 10 B.C. in the Circus Maximus which had been transported from Heliopolis in the Egyptian delta; other major circuses in Rome and throughout the empire then followed suit. The most popular event at the Circus Maximus was the race with four chariots, as depicted in the intaglio above. In this race four teams participated named after the seasons - green (Spring), red (Summer), blue (Autumn), and white (Winter).
During the Roman period circuses were specially developed for chariot racing, the most famous being the Circus Maximus in Rome. The straight track was divided down the middle by a low wall which had a turning post at each end. The race was usually of seven laps which were counted by either egg or dolphin-shaped markers set on pillars. The winning line was marked by an obelisk half-way down the track in front of the judges or even the Emperor. Augustus erected an obelisk in 10 B.C. in the Circus Maximus which had been transported from Heliopolis in the Egyptian delta; other major circuses in Rome and throughout the empire then followed suit. The most popular event at the Circus Maximus was the race with four chariots, as depicted in the intaglio above. In this race four teams participated named after the seasons - green (Spring), red (Summer), blue (Autumn), and white (Winter).