A fine roman carnelian applique-cameo. Frontal head of a lion.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

18 x 20 x 12 mm

Lion’s head in frontal position, slightly open jaws; and visible teeth. The snout is marked by carved lines for the lips hair and the center of the fronthead presents wrinkles. The eyes are wide-open and globular, emphasizing the ferocity of the animal. The mane is arranged neatly in a radial pattern around the snout, short locks divided by curvilinear incisions. The ears are rounded in a regular hollow. The artifact is carved in high relief with great skill and reminds the hardstone phaleras with lion’s head. The back is concave, and dug deep. Even the half-open mouth has a through-hole between the teeth. However, this carnelian specimen cannot be considered as a phalera, as it is very delicate and small in size, with no fixing holes. The iconographic typology, however, recalls the bronze phaleras or masks fixed on the doors. Its function could therefore be ornamental, perhaps for a jewel, boxe or a precious clothing, being also particularly light and emptied and therefore easy to wear. The stone shows signs of wear. For the not common phalera with lion’s head in frontal position, the model must be identified, in addition to the already known bronze lion’s head phaleras, both in the sculptural production (lion’s masks set on marble sarcophagis of the late imperial production-oriental workshops), and in the bronze studs that held the rings to knock on the doors (so-called “roman lion head door knocker”). An interesting comparison also comes from the glyptic collections of the Kunsthistorisches Museum of Vienna: chalcedony phalera-cameo, frontal lion’s head, n. inv. X 11, light blue chalcedony with opalescent tones, dated II-III century A.D. (from Coll. Joseph de France - Baroness K. von Hess 1808).



UK private collection, London.