Roman Gemstone with Minerva

2ND CENTURY A.D.

5/8 in. (1.18 grams, 17 mm).

Plano-convex in section with incuse image of Minerva standing with one hand extended, holding her spear and shield.

Provenance

Acquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.

Literature

Cf., Cravinho, G., ‘Roman Gems in the National Soares dos Reis Museum in Oporto,’ in Studies in ancient Art and Civilization, vol.22 (2018), pp.141-179, pls.I, 7-8, gems with Athena Promachos and Minerva.

Footnotes

In Rome, the Athena Promachos type occurs on imperial silver medallions of Domitian (struck in 92 AD), since Minerva was his personal protector. On gems, it became very common from the end of the 1st century BC onwards, even on the magical gemstones.

CONDITION

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LOT 1326