Lotto 250 | A RARE ROMAN HEMATITE ENGRAVED BEAD. GRASSHOPPER AND SKELETON.

Bertolami Fine Art - Piazza Lovatelli 1, 00186 Roma

A RARE ROMAN HEMATITE ENGRAVED BEAD. GRASSHOPPER AND SKELETON.

A RARE ROMAN HEMATITE ENGRAVED BEAD. GRASSHOPPER AND SKELETON.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

H max 27 mm;

Irregular in shape and pierced lengthwise this bead is engraved with a particular design; a grasshopper standing right playing the double flute to a skeleton leaning on the ground with a skull in his right hand and another one beneath his left elbow. Groundline. The playing grasshopper representing life is thus confronted with the Death symbolized by the skeleton. This engraved bead is an allegory of the fleetingness of life.
The bead is possibly more ancient and reused in roman times for its magical properties.
Wear marks.


Christopher A. Faraone, Inscribed Greek Thunderstones as House- and Body-Amulets in Roman Imperial Times, p. 257-284

Provenance: U.K. private, acquired on the art market 1980s-1990s