A large roman rock crystal astrological intaglio set in a gold ring. Portrait of youth with zodiacal and sea animals.

Early 1st century A.D.

Stone 15x18x3 mm; int diam 18 mm; 19x23 mm; 8,15 gr.

Juvenile head in profile facing left. The hair is short, a slight barbula goes down near the ear. The profile is linear, of the Octavian Augustus type. Around the portrait, there are four animals: a fish, a seagoat, a scorpion and a shrimp. These strongly symbolic animals can have, except for the shrimp, an astrological and allegorical meaning, especially the sea capricorn. Some details are engraved with small globular elements. The style is attributable to the end of the Republican age and the beginning of the Augustan period. Interesting allegorical composition. The work is engraved on a large rock crystal. Signs of wear and some light scratches on the surface. Small chips on the edge. The bezel edge is in high carat gold. Parallels: M.L. Volleinweider, Camées et intailles. Les Portraits romains du Cabinet des Médailles, pl. 46. ; M.L. Volleinweider, Die portratgemmen der Romischen Republik, pl. 142 n. 1, 2, 4, 6, ss; pl. 143, 144, ss; 149 n. 15; pl. 151 n. 16 ss. See the coinage. For the subject, a very close intaglio in AGKM (Kunst Museum, Wien) n. 520.

Provenance: UK private collection S.B. London, 1970s, acquired on the London market in 70s. Based on the mounting from a late 19th - early 20th century collection.