Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Eros Before an Altar in Gold Ring

1ST CENTURY A.D.

7/8 in. (3.55 grams, 21.09 mm overall, 18.46 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)).

Finely engraved Roman carnelian intaglio showing nude winged Amor in front of a pillar with his weapons, helmet, shield, and spear, putting on a shin guard, standing before an altar, set in a later gold ring; supplied with a museum-quality impression.

Provenance

Acquired on the European art market.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13323-258009.

Literature

Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 298, for iconography.

Footnotes

This particular iconography shows the god of love arming himself, standing in front of an altar surmounted by a helmet, and with a hoplon shield at its bottom. He is putting a greave on his right leg, and a spear occupies the central part of the scene. Figuratively, Amor is maybe represented arming himself for a 'love deed'. But the scene can be referred to the battle against the Titans, to which all the Olympian gods took part.

CONDITION

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LOT 0168