Ancient Roman Hardstone Sardonyx Cameo

Code: 10657

This is an ancient Roman hardstone cameo, dating to the 2nd - 3rd century A.D. The cameo utilized a pale cream colour of the gem for the toga of the sitter, presumably the original owner or an emperor? The cameo is nicely cut and small enough to be mounted into a gold finger ring. Such jewels were highly collected by Roman aristocracy, the wearing of cameos served to emphasize wealth and taste, with little other use (unlike intaglios used for sealing). 

OBJECT: Cameo

CULTURE: Roman

DATE: c. 2nd - 3rd century A.D.

MATERIAL: Sardonyx

SIZE: 13mm x 10mm x 4mm

WEIGHT: 0.9 grams

PROVENANCE: Formerly in a New York Collection, previously the property of a German collector.