Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A stunning oval amethyst cabochon intaglio of brilliant violet hues, finely engraved with a pantheistic deity presenting attributes from a number of gods and goddesses. Notice the snake drinking out of a phiale held by the figure. This references the medicine man Asclepius. The figure also has a wing of Nike, possibly symbolic of victory, and the wheel by the side of the figure suggests Nemesis. Accompanied by a clay impression, this is a wonderfully done cabochon amethyst intaglio from ancient Rome!. Size: 0.375" W x 0.55" H (1 cm x 1.4 cm)
Some say that the Romans believed that amethyst possessed the power to prevent drunkenness. A myth about Bacchus, the god of wine, has inspired this belief. Here is how the International Gem Society tells this story which has actually been traced to the Renaissance rather than the Classical World, "Long ago, a beautiful maiden was on her way to worship at the Temple of Diana. However, she had the misfortune of crossing paths with the god of wine, Bacchus. Angered since he’d just suffered some slight, he'd vowed to take revenge on the next person he met. He spied the maid and unleashed his two guardian tigers upon her. As the great beasts bounded towards the hapless lass, the goddess Diana intervened. To spare her such a terrible fate, she turned her into a pure, clear stone. Immediately, remorse seized Bacchus. To atone for his actions, he poured his wine over the stone, staining the crystal a deep, violet hue. And so, the maiden Amethyst lent her name to the crystal."
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection, acquired from Dr. Robert Deutsch, Jaffa, Israel - accompanied by export document
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#157217
Condition
Minor nicks to peripheries and light softening to some engraved details, otherwise intact and very good. Nice preservation to engraved details and smooth surfaces throughout.