Lot 230 | A late roman black agate intaglio. Martyrium Emblema.

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 black agate intaglio. Martyrium Emblema.

A late roman black agate intaglio. Martyrium Emblema.

4th-5th century A.D.

14 x 17 x 4 mm.

The gem is engraved on both sides. On the front: a christogram, a palm of victory and martyrdom, a vase (probably a jug). On the back: an anchor with two fish. The gem is characterized by Christological emblems referable to the production of workshops of late Roman antiquity. The black stone is characterized by widespread wear marks over the entire surface. Rare and interesting specimen.

Parallels: J. Spier, Late Antique and Early Christian Gems, Plate 23 Cat. No. 166, plate 33 n. 261-264, pl. 51 n. 434.

U.K., private collection 80's.