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  • 231 A roman carnelian intaglio. Bust of Attis. The young man is ...

Lot 231 - Auction 54

A roman carnelian intaglio. Bust of Attis. The young man is turned to the left, wearing his typical Phrygian cap (from ... Read more
Price realized:
2.700,00 GBP
Bids:
3

Bids

Lot status:
Auction closed

Description

A roman carnelian intaglio. Bust of Attis. The young man is turned to the left, wearing his typical Phrygian cap (from which the long hair comes out) and a long sleeved, heavy, hatched "sweater". He is holding the pedum in his left hand; in his right hand, between two fingers, he is holding a small fruit (which can be identified with an almond), which he carefully observes. According to the myth, a plant, in the form of an almond tree, was born from the blood spilling from his father's (Adgistis) castration (Pausania); Nana, daughter to the king Sangarius, picked an almond and got pregnant, giving birth to Attis. Following the myth, in this intaglio Attis is contemplating the fruit which was the cause of his divine conception. Extraordinary iconography, and of a particular interest, also related to the cult of Cybele and to mysteries, with an allegorical reference to fecundation. The stone is chipped in its upper part, and fragmented at the bottom, partially reintegrated by the gold of the modern mounting. Polished intaglio. 2nd century A.D.
Intaglio 18 x 16 x 3 mm; ring diam. 18 mm; gr. 6,75.

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