Roman Carnelian Intaglio of Fortuna with Cornucopia and Rudder

拍品描述

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 27 BCE – 200 CE. An oval intaglio cut from translucent, ruby-red carnelian. It is engraved with a standing figure of Fortuna, the Roman goddess of luck and fate. She wears a long, belted robe that falls in fine vertical folds, and a wreath circles her head. In one arm she cradles a cornucopia, the horn of plenty, and with the other hand she holds a ship's rudder, the sign that she steered the course of human affairs. The engraver used a wheel and abrasives to cut the image as a recessed mirror image, so it reads correctly when pressed into wax or clay. Stones like this were usually set in finger rings. They worked as personal seals and probably also as small charms for good fortune. This intaglio has the usual flat face and slightly bevelled edge of Roman gems. Size: 0.46" H x 0.33" W x 0.1" D (1.2 cm H x 0.8 cm W x 0.3 cm D). Fortuna was one of the most popular subjects for engraved gems in the Roman Empire. The standing figure holding a cornucopia and rudder was well established by the 1st century CE and was repeated on coins and gems across the Roman world. Together the two attributes stand for plenty and guidance. Over time Fortuna also merged with the Greek goddess Tyche, and with Isis in her Isis-Fortuna form. That is why many carvings of the type are hard to name exactly when the details are worn or roughly cut. Carnelian was valued in Roman times because it is warm in color, takes a high polish, and releases sealing wax cleanly. It was the most common stone used for everyday seal-rings. SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700. PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception. Item #204837

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