Ancient Roman Nicolo Intaglio of Mercury in a Medieval Silver Pendant

Code: 11382

This is an ancient Roman intaglio of Mercury, dating to the 2nd - 3rd century A.D. It is cut on a Nicolo gemstone. Set into a later medieval silver pendant, dating to the 13th - 15th century. The pendant is missing the suspension loop and the intaglio has a crack, otherwise, an excavated jewel with a long history (Mercury being associated with magic and Alchemy during this period). 

OBJECT: Intaglio pendant

CULTURE: Roman / Medieval

DATE: c. 3rd century A.D. (pendant 12th - 13th century)

MATERIAL: Nicolo and silver

SIZE: 15.92mm x 14.82mm x 4.12mm 

WEIGHT: 1.98 grams

PROVENANCE: Formerly in a Cambridge collection.