Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
c. 1st-2nd century AD
Length: 17mm, Width: 12mm, Depth: 2mm
Banded white and pale yellow translucent agate oval tapered tablet intaglio depicting a centaur striking with bow and arrow towards the left. (zodiac sign of Sagittarius).
The carving represents the Centaur armed with bow and arrows and is very rare in Roman glyptic art. Indeed, it contrasts with the wild and untamed image traditionally associated with this hybrid creature, which, already in Greek mythology, was not expected to engage in combat using weapons fashioned by human hands, but rather to wield trees and rocks. The only centaur depicted as an archer is Chiron, the tutor of Achilles. The image of Chiron as an archer subsequently became associated with the constellation of Sagittarius. The gem most likely represents this zodiacal sign and was probably worn by individuals born under the same sign.
The intaglio carved on an oval distinctly banded white to pale yellow translucent agate. This type of chalcedony is a variety of polycrystalline quartz that displays a curved banding in which successive layers vary in colour and translucency and display a vitreous lustre.
Literature: A similar example is found in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Wien (orange carnelian, 1st-2nd century AD, inv. IX B 271)
c. 1st-2nd century AD
Length: 17mm, Width: 12mm, Depth: 2mm
Banded white and pale yellow translucent agate oval tapered tablet intaglio depicting a centaur striking with bow and arrow towards the left. (zodiac sign of Sagittarius).
The carving represents the Centaur armed with bow and arrows and is very rare in Roman glyptic art. Indeed, it contrasts with the wild and untamed image traditionally associated with this hybrid creature, which, already in Greek mythology, was not expected to engage in combat using weapons fashioned by human hands, but rather to wield trees and rocks. The only centaur depicted as an archer is Chiron, the tutor of Achilles. The image of Chiron as an archer subsequently became associated with the constellation of Sagittarius. The gem most likely represents this zodiacal sign and was probably worn by individuals born under the same sign.
The intaglio carved on an oval distinctly banded white to pale yellow translucent agate. This type of chalcedony is a variety of polycrystalline quartz that displays a curved banding in which successive layers vary in colour and translucency and display a vitreous lustre.
Literature: A similar example is found in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Wien (orange carnelian, 1st-2nd century AD, inv. IX B 271)