An Italic banded agate intaglio set in a gold ring. Warrior consulting an oracle.
Date 2nd-1st century BCE
Period Roman art, 19th century, italic
Origin London, consignment
Medium gold, banded agate
Dimension 1.4 x 1 cm (0¹/₂ x 0³/₈ inches)
The banded agate intaglio shows the warrior consulting an oracle. He stands before the pillar, which has a snake coiled round it, a globe on top. The warrior wears a helmet and a chlamys on his back, and carries a scabard. Groundline. Nice mirror polishing.
The anatomy of the character, the style and presence of globular elements place this intaglio to the Italic productions. The mounting is a direct reference to the iconography represented on the intaglio.
Date: 2nd-1st century BCE
Period: Roman art, 19th century, italic
Origin: London, consignment
Medium: gold, banded agate
Dimension: 1.4 x 1 cm (0¹/₂ x 0³/₈ inches)
Literature: For a similar scene
G. M. Richter, Catalog of engraved gems. Greek, Etruscan and Roman, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, plate XXXIV n. 227.
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