Antiquities, Islamic, and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art: Featuring Selections from the Dr. Mohammed Said Farsi Collection
Lot 47:
This exquisite Roman intaglio, carved from yellow jasper, dates back to the 2nd to 3rd century A.D. The intaglio features a finely detailed depiction of a Nereid, a sea nymph from Greek mythology, often associated with the Aegean Sea and known for their beauty and grace. The figure is shown reclining on the back of a sea creature, with flowing drapery and delicate features meticulously carved to capture the ethereal nature of the subject.
The yellow jasper, a prized material in ancient Roman jewelry, enhances the visual impact of the scene, adding warmth and depth to the intaglio. This piece would have been used as a personal seal, symbolizing the owner’s connection to the divine and the natural world, as well as serving as a protective amulet.
L: 2cm
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