Ancient-Jewellery |
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Code: 10333
This is an ancient Roman gold cameo pendant, dating to the 3rd century A.D. The hardstone cameo is finely sculpted from a three-layer sardonyx gemstone. It depicts Cupid feeding or capturing a goose, this was a metaphor for hard to tame love, or stubborn love (represented by the goose, one of Venus's birds). This gem is signed with the letters AON, possibly for Aeon the manifestation of 'time' and Aeons 'great age' - or the name of the sculptor! The cameo is intact and perfect for a Roman gem, still set in the original gold pendant in an excavated condition.
Such a jewel would have been intended and given as a love gift, thus a nice example of an amatory pendant that has transcended time - a wonderful object that can still be gifted again today!
OBJECT: Cameo Pendant
CULTURE: Roman
DATE: c. 3rd century A.D.
MATERIAL: Gold & Sardonyx
SIZE: 30mm x 24mm x 8mm (intaglio 16mm x 17mm)
WEIGHT: 6.4 grams
PROVENANCE: Ex. D. Rowe collection, London.