Lot Essay
Item one: the Medusa mask or gorgoneion was commonly used as a protective device and to ward off the evil eye.
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CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.
Details
A ROMAN GOLD AND ONYX CAMEO MEDUSA MASK AMULETIC PENDANT
CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.
Oval, carved in the white layer with characteristic knapped reverse, with head of Medusa turned slightly to her left, incised wings in her hair, set in a gold border with chased rope pattern, suspension loop above, ¾ in. (2 cm.) high; a Roman gold and garnet intaglio ring, the cabochon intaglio with schematic trefoil motif, 3rd Century A.D., 5/8 in. (1.6 cm.) across inner hoop; a gold flower bud earring, the hoop with three petals enclosing a central gold granule, circa early 1st millennium B.C., 7/8 in. (2.4 cm.) high; and two pairs of gold hoop earrings, each with ball pendant decorated with two rows of filigree circles, circa 6th-7th Century A.D., ¾ in. (1.9 cm.) high av. (7)
CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.
Oval, carved in the white layer with characteristic knapped reverse, with head of Medusa turned slightly to her left, incised wings in her hair, set in a gold border with chased rope pattern, suspension loop above, ¾ in. (2 cm.) high; a Roman gold and garnet intaglio ring, the cabochon intaglio with schematic trefoil motif, 3rd Century A.D., 5/8 in. (1.6 cm.) across inner hoop; a gold flower bud earring, the hoop with three petals enclosing a central gold granule, circa early 1st millennium B.C., 7/8 in. (2.4 cm.) high; and two pairs of gold hoop earrings, each with ball pendant decorated with two rows of filigree circles, circa 6th-7th Century A.D., ¾ in. (1.9 cm.) high av. (7)
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.