Lot 223 | A late roman onyx cameo. Female bust.

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 late roman onyx cameo. Female bust.

A late roman onyx cameo. Female bust.

3rd century A.D.

16 x 22 x 9 mm

The effigy is in profile to the right. The hair forms a striped mass, which falls down on the neck in a braid and arching ("helmfrisur" hairdo). The ear is uncovered; the neck is elongated, the eye prominent. The bust is draped, the folds of the tunic are engraved with angular pleats. Probably a private portrait. The bust is sculpted in high relief with undercut from the background. Slight chip on the edge. Fine condition.

Parallel: M. Henig, H. Molesworth, The Complete Content Cameos, pp. 58-64.

U.K private collection, London.