A roman deep red carnelian intaglio mounted on a modern gold pendent (The Four elements). Jupiter seated with erotes.
intaglio 11 x 15 mm; mounting 70 mm; gr. 52,64
Jupiter sitting on a throne and facing to the right, holding the scepter with his right hand, a winged victory (which offers a laurel wreath) with his left hand; at his feet, two winged erotes play inside a circular basin. Ground line. Slight wear marks. Rare iconography. The cruciform gold mount, designed and finely made by the master goldsmith Massimo Maria Melis, shows in its extremities four silver impression taken from intaglios, symbolizing the four elements: water (two dolphins), fire (burning torch), earth (ear of wheat), air (erote on a chariot drawn by butterflies). The four antique vagues colored glass, mounted with a "pomegranate" closure, allude to this extraordinary symbolism. Carnelian carving surrounded by a finely woven frame. Unique work of its kind, performed with great technical expertise.
2nd-3rd century A.D.