Bertolami Fine Art - Piazza Lovatelli 1, 00186 Roma
ASTA 267 - GLITTICA ASTA 267 - GLITTICA
Friday 7 July 2023 hours 12:30 (UTC +00:00)
A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. GRASSHOPPER DRIVING A CHARIOT DRAWN BY TWO BUTTERFLYES.
A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. GRASSHOPPER DRIVING A CHARIOT DRAWN BY TWO BUTTERFLYES.
1st century B.C - 1st century A.D.
14 x 17 x 3 mm
A small chariot is pulled by two butterflies and driven by a grasshopper who holds the reins. Groundline. Interesting subject referable to that category where insects, especially grasshoppers, perform human actions. The gem is rectangular with rounded edges. Small chips and wear marks. Rare.
For a very similar iconography see British Museum, gem n. 2549 inv. 1814,0704.1446 (carnelian set in a gold ring) and nd drawings n. 2010,5006.1094: 2010,5006.1015.
Provenance: U.K private collection from the british art market, 1990s-2000s.