Roman carnelian intaglio of Pax the goddess of peace

Code: 10936

This is an excavated ancient Roman intaglio, dating to the 3rd century A.D. It is simply cut with a standing figure of Pax, holding a branch and sceptre. The gem has a slight fissure in the stone, it is not a crack nor goes through and the gemmarius has used it to cut the bottom of the dress which flares up and sideways. Such an intaglio would have been set into a bronze or silver ring, used as a private signature to seal letters. Pax is a nice subject for a gem, being the personification of peace.

OBJECT: Intaglio

CULTURE: Roman

DATE: c. 3rd century A.D.

MATERIAL: Carnelian

SIZE: 10mm x 8mm x 1.4mm 

WEIGHT: 0.22 grams

PROVENANCE: Ex. Old Rheinland-Pfalz collection, 1970-1999.