A very fine roman emerald intaglio. Bust of a ruler.

Late 1st century B.C.

9 x 12 x 5 mm

The precise identification of this refined laureated portrait is not entirely certain. What is certain is that it was engraved on an emerald of extraordinary quality, very precious for that time, characterized by a slightly convex surface frontside, instead very convex in the backside, emphasizing the intense color and the preciousness of the artefact. The portrait is engraved with great skill, the anatomical details are well rendered and delicately modeled. The nose is protruding, the eye has a lively and strong-willed expression, the mouth slightly open, the cheekbone protruding, the neck has a slight protuberance on the throat. The hair is finely chiseled, held by a laurel wreath ending with ears of wheat. This detail is an allegorical reference to Egypt, and the same variety of emerald seems to refer to the Alexandrian ateliers. The style of the portrait is comparable to some late republican official or private portraits, including some effigies of the famous Roman dictator Caius Julius Caesar, whose ties to Egypt are very decisive. The physiognomy of this portrait seems to evolve in the later Augustinian portraits of the Julio Claudia dynasty. To be identified. Slight cracking. Wear marks. Rare.

Parallels : M. L. vollenweider, Die Portratgemmen der romischen Republik, 1972, pl. 75-81.

U.K., private collection 70's, in the same family since then.