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YELLOW SAPPHIRE GEMSTONE OF COMMODUS IN LATER GOLD MOUNT
ROMAN, 2ND CENTURY A.D. OR LATER
1 in. (4.93 grams, 24 mm).
ROMAN, 2ND CENTURY A.D. OR LATER
1 in. (4.93 grams, 24 mm).
The naturalistic pale yellow sapphire engraved with the bust of the emperor in profile right.
PROVENANCE:
Acquired in the 1980s.
Ex European collection.
Private collection of a London antiquarian.
FOOTNOTES:
The reign of Commodus (177-192 A.D.) is typically associated with the end of the period in Roman history, the golden era of peace. He initially reigned jointly with his father Marcus Aurelius (177-180 A.D.), and later alone. Commodus cultivated a personality cult which culminated in his performance as a gladiator in the Colosseum. He was eventually assassinated by a wrestler in the baths, marking the end of the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty. He was succeeded by Pertinax.
