Bertolami Fine Art - Riversdell Close 27, KT16 9JW Chertsey
Auction 86 - Glyptics and Ancient Jewelry sessione unica
Wednesday 9 December 2020 hours 14:00 (UTC +01:00)
A very fine roman chacedony intaglio. Zeus enthroned with the eagle.
A very fine roman chacedony intaglio. Zeus enthroned with the eagle.
1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.
11 x 13 x 5 mm
Zeus is seated on his throne, holding the scepter on his right hand and lightning with the left. The god is characterized by voluminous hair and beard, a muscular body, with the naked torso, and wearing a drapery marked by pleats in relief revealing the framework of his knees and feet. On the left, at his feet, the eagle looking toward him. Groundline. The subject is probably inspired by a sculpture. Very fine execution of the muscular rendering, with an impressive high relief effect, almost three-dimensional. Beautiful work engraved on a fine chalcedony double convex stone with honey tone. Slight wear marks.
Parallels :
Thorvaldsens museum, Copenhague, inv. 189. Cabinet des Médailles, Paris, inv.58.1420.G.M.A. Richter, Catalogue of engraved gem. Greek, etruscan and roman. The Metropolitan Museum of New York, n. 256. Antiken Gemmen in Deutschen Sammlungen, Band I, Staatliche Munzsammlung Munchen, n. 2448.
U.K private collection