A roman carnelian intaglio. Palm tree and latin letters.
1st century A.D.
11 x 14 x 2 mm

In the center, a large palm tree characterized by a mighty trunk. On each sides, the inscriptions. : IVD-CAP.
On the bottom, on each side of the trunk, the letters: T-T. Emerging from the groundline, two ears of corn. This depiction is probably referred to the roman conquest in Judea by Titus under his father reign, the emperor Vespasian in 70 A.D. This event was celebrated and strucked in bronze sestertius (RIC 305-307) under Vespasian (71 A.D.), as the inscription indicates: JUDEA CAPTA. The presence of the ears of corn symbolize abundance and prosperity for the roman empire abroad. The intaglio is finely engraved and the palm tree is mirror polished. Ancient wear marks. Very rare.