This ancient Roman agate intaglio depicts Athena Parthenos, the Greek goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. She holds a miniature statue of Nike, the winged goddess of victory. The composition recalls the colossal gold-and-ivory statue of Athena created by the sculptor Phidias for the Parthenon in Athens in the 5th century BC. Think of it as an ancient Roman interpretation of one of antiquity’s most famous sculptures. Or a sculpture of a sculpture.... holding a sculpture.) It was carved 2,000 years ago and references a work of art that would already have been centuries old to its original owner. The small carving was likely a personal seal, pressed into wax to authenticate documents. We’ve set it into a 14k gold frame.
MATERIALS: 14k gold, agate
AGE: c. 1-2 AD intaglio, contemporary mounting
CONDITION: Very good
SIZE: 7/8" x just over 3/8" pendant, 18" chain