Lotto 196 | A roman carnelian intaglio set ina modern gold ring. Homoerotic "paiderastia" scene.

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

A roman carnelian intaglio set ina modern gold ring. Homoerotic "paiderastia" scene.

A roman carnelian intaglio set ina modern gold ring. Homoerotic "paiderastia" scene.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

intaglio : 9 x 17 mm
ring : 18 x 16 mm
7,86 g

A young boy is depicted in an intimate moment of initiation into the greek paiderastia. The young figure wears a collar and a thin robe that glimpses his shapely naked body (veil) and is faced with an adult male figure, with a diademate head and a naked body. The man brings his hands to the boy's head, who puts his hand up to touch his attributes while keeping his left leg raised above a small altar. Groundline. Probable scene of initiation to homoerotic paideia; the scene seems inspired by the repertoire of Greek black-figured vascular painting. Very rare subject on gems. The ring seems to have a repair in the attack between the rod and the bezel. Wear marks.



U.K private collection 90's