• Home
  • Auction 54
  • 223 A roman carnelian intaglio. Veiled bust of a city ...

Lot 223 - Auction 54

A roman carnelian intaglio. Veiled bust of a city (personification), wearing turreted crown; at the bottom, protome of ... Read more
Price realized:
650,00 GBP
Bids:
8

Bids

Lot status:
Auction closed

Description

A roman carnelian intaglio. Veiled bust of a city (personification), wearing turreted crown; at the bottom, protome of a swimming man, which can be identified with the fluvial deity referable to the city (e.g. Orontes, Kydnos). Rare allegorical composition. 1st-2nd century A.D. For the subject, see Tetradrachma of Augustus (RPC I 4155). The turreted female bust, usually considered as the personification of a city, is also interpreted as Tyche (Fortune): see G.M.A. Richter, Catalogue of engraved gems. Greek-etruscan-and roman. The Metropolitan Museum of Art- New York, p. 87 n. 382. In the mythological tradition, the figure of the swimmer, altogether with the presence of the tower, can be related to the myth of Hero and Leander (with topographic reference to the Dardanelles, anciently called Hellespont).
10 x 14 x 3 mm

Only registered and authorized users are allowed to place bids.

Please use the registration form to send us your participation request, or, if you are already registered and authorized, use the login box on the top.

For any information please contact info@bertolamifineart.com