LOT 0839

Roman Green Agate Gemstone Depicting a Palm Tree

1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.

3/8 in. (0.2 grams, 10 mm).

Biconvex with intaglio palm-tree motif.

From the private collection of Mr K.A., acquired in the 1990s-early 2000s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Cf. a Roman intaglio in agate with palm tree in the Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, from Caerleon, inv. no. 81.79H/4.25.

Diverse and sometimes exotic imagery can be found on Roman gemstones, like the ones from sites like Caerleon, showing a Roman gemstone in agate depicting a palm tree with dates. These gemstones, often featuring bucolic scenes and symbols of prosperity, were sometimes made of materials coming from the different corners of the empire or even distant lands like Cyprus, Egypt, India, and Sri Lanka. Palm trees were symbols of abundance and fertility, and were a common motif on Roman gemstones even before the advent of Christianity, when the palm tree was associated with the glorious entrance of God in Jerusalem. They were sometimes depicted with other elements like parrots, further highlighting the exotic nature of some Roman gemstone designs.