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An Italic banded agate intaglio set in a gold ring. Warrior consulting an oracle.
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An Italic banded agate intaglio set in a gold ring. Warrior consulting an oracle.

Anthea Fine Arts

Date 2nd-1st century BCE

Period Roman art, 19th century, italic

Origin London, consignment

Medium gold, banded agate

Dimension 1.4 x 1 cm (0¹/₂ x 0³/₈ inches)

The Archaeological Revival gold ring is formed of a double snakes hoop, soften within and chiseled without, forming the bodies of the snakes. The outbroad shoulders formed by the heads, the eyes in silver. The junction with the oval box-setting is sustained on each side by a gold wire framing the snakes mouths. 
The banded agate intaglio shows the warrior consulting an oracle. He stands before the pillar, which has a snake coiled round it, a globe on top. The warrior wears a helmet and a chlamys on his back, and carries a scabard. Groundline. Nice mirror polishing.
The anatomy of the character, the style and presence of globular elements place this intaglio to the Italic productions. The mounting is a direct reference to the iconography represented on the intaglio. 

Date: 2nd-1st century BCE

Period: Roman art, 19th century, italic

Origin: London, consignment

Medium: gold, banded agate

Dimension: 1.4 x 1 cm (0¹/₂ x 0³/₈ inches)

Literature: For a similar scene
G. M. Richter, Catalog of engraved gems. Greek, Etruscan and Roman, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, plate XXXIV n. 227. 

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Anthea Fine Arts

Antiquities, Classical Sculptures, Glyptics and Jewelry.

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