Ancient Roman Heliotrope Intaglio of Empress Crispina as Venus

Code: 12169

This is an ancient Roman hardstone intaglio, dating to the 2nd century A.D. It is superbly cut on a dark green heliotrope gemstone, with a female portrait of a goddess (Ceres of Venus?) she also shares similarities with Empress Crispina. Such a gems would have once been set into a gold or silver signet ring, used as a private signature to authenticate letters and transactions. Today this ancient gem has survived intact and in excellent excavated condition.

OBJECT: Intaglio

CULTURE: Roman

DATE: c. 2nd century A.D.

MATERIAL: Heliotrope

SIZE: 15.8mm x 12mm x 2mm 

WEIGHT:  0.6 grams

PROVENANCE: Formerly in a Private Collection, Ontario, Canada