CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.

Small-scale sculpture in precious materials like chalcedony, agate, jasper and rock crystal (all forms of cryptocrystalline quartz) was popular during the Roman Imperial period. Depending on the subject, these small luxurious works of art could have religious value when used in household shrines, serve as symbols of propaganda when set in imperial crowns or scepters, or, perhaps most common, demonstrate status and wealth when used in domestic contexts, such as inlays in furniture. For other related busts of boys and young men in similar semi-precious materials, see Del Bufalo, op. cit., nos. 90, 91, 110, 187 and 193.