A ROMAN AMETHYST INTAGLIO OF A GRYLLOS WITH THE IMAGE OF FIVE FACES, CIRCA 1ST CENTURY A.D.

拍品描述

A ROMAN AMETHYST INTAGLIO OF A GRYLLOS WITH THE IMAGE OF FIVE FACES, CIRCA 1ST CENTURY A.D. Carved from translucent violet amethyst with fine internal veining and areas of natural iron-stained inclusions, this oval intaglio is engraved with the composite image of five overlapping faces. The profiles, male and female, are rendered in fine linear detail with distinctive hair arrangements and expressive facial contours. The carving is precise and deeply cut, the polished surface catching the light to reveal subtle gradations in the stone’s colour and texture. The reverse is smoothly convex and undecorated, showing minor wear consistent with ancient mounting and handling. Grylloi were a distinctive form of Roman intaglio carving in which multiple heads or creatures were merged into a single fantastical composition. Such images were considered apotropaic, intended to avert evil and bring good fortune to the wearer, and were popular amuletic subjects in the early Imperial period. Length: 2cm

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