Lot 167 | A roman agate cameo. Four conjoined heads (Janus).

Bertolami Fine Art - Riversdell Close 27, KT16 9JW Chertsey

A roman agate cameo. Four conjoined heads (Janus).

A roman agate cameo. Four conjoined heads (Janus).

1st century B.C. - 2nd century A.D.

14 x 16 x 5 mm

In the foreground, the typical two-faced bust of Janus characterized by two conjoined bearded heads. In the background there are two other conjoined bearded heads, seen in profile: two overlapping pairs of joint heads. The iconography is inspired by the apotropaic compositions of the gryllos and the carvings with vases covered by conjoined human heads. The model for the double-faced bust of Janus comes from the Roman republican coinage (see : Anonymous. Circa 225-217 BC. Æ Aes Grave As). Wear marks. Large chippings on the backside of the stone. Unusual specimen. Rare iconography.



U.K private collection