Antiquities, Islamic, and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art: Featuring Selections from the Dr. Mohammed Said Farsi Collection

A ROMAN OR LATER CHALCEDONY PURPLE AGATE FOOT, CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C. - 2ND CENTURY A.D.

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Start price: £360

Estimated price: £400 - £600

Auction house commission: 25%

VAT: On commission only

The foot is intricately detailed, with carefully defined toes and the natural curvature of the arch, demonstrating a high level of artistic skill. The material, chalcedony, is a form of silica with a lustrous and smooth finish, making it a favoured medium for detailed carvings in antiquity.

The foot likely belonged to a larger statue or served as a votive offering, a common practice in Roman religious and funerary contexts. The use of purple agate, with its natural bands and subtle translucence, adds a sense of luxury and significance to the piece. The stone’s color, often associated with royalty and divinity in Roman culture, suggests that this artifact may have been of considerable importance.

L: 6cm