Lot 303
303
A FINE ROMAN AMETHYST INTAGLIO ENGRAVED WITH MALE PORTRAIT BUST
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
A FINE ROMAN AMETHYST INTAGLIO ENGRAVED WITH MALE PORTRAIT BUST

CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.

Details
A FINE ROMAN AMETHYST INTAGLIO ENGRAVED WITH MALE PORTRAIT BUST
CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.
Of Hellenizing type, shown in profile to the left with draped bust, deeply-cut curled hair and short beard, in 19th Century gold ring setting
1.3 x 1 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

Cf. G. M. A. Richter, Engraved Gems of the Romans, London, 1971, no. 545; M. Henig, The Lewis Collection of Gemstones, Oxford, 1975, no. 15; and S. H. Middleton, Engraved Gems from Dalmatia, Oxford, 1991, p. 113, no. 202, for intaglios of the philhellenic emperor Hadrian. Also see, S. De Caro, The National Archaeological Museum of Naples, Naples, 1996, p. 348, inv. 26088, for an amethyst intaglio of Antoninus Pius "in the attitude of a Greek philiosopher. The soft and very fine rendering of the beard and hair is typical of the pictorial style of the period".

More from Antiquities, Including an English Private Collection of

View All
View All