Lot 127
127
A ROMAN AGATE INTAGLIO WITH SERPENT EMERGING FROM A SHELL
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A ROMAN AGATE INTAGLIO WITH SERPENT EMERGING FROM A SHELL

1ST CENTURY A.D.

Details
A ROMAN AGATE INTAGLIO WITH SERPENT EMERGING FROM A SHELL
1ST CENTURY A.D.
With scene of a parrot confronting a serpent emerging from a nautilus shell, with overshadowing tree, in 18th Century ring setting
1 x 0.8 cm.; 1.8 cm. across inner hoop
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

Lot Essay

The serpent emerging from a shell is a symbol of life and birth; the parrot is a bird of Bacchus, the god of wine and therefore life. The engraver has used an imperfection in the stone as part of the image. See lot 130 for references to similar gems with various animals emerging from shells.

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