A roman republican carnelian intaglio. Two cicadas fighting as gladiators.

1st century B.C.

17 x 21 x 3,5 mm

The two insects fight vigorously using gladiators weapons. The cicada on the left protects itself with a shield and raises the sword to hit its opponent, who fights with a spear and a shield. Both insects are finely engraved in detail, with the use of the typical mirror-polished globular elements. Groundline. Traces of letters in the field, partly erased due to the ancient wear marks of the stone surface. Attractive size and color of the stone. Slight crack in the lower left corner of the stone. Rare subject referable to the late republican repertoire of insects that perform human actions.

Parallels: Antike Gemmen in Deutschen Sammlungen, Band II, Staatliche Museen Preubischer Kultubesitz Antikenabteilung- Berlin, n. 424-425, inv. FG6525- 24.

U.K., private collection 80's, London.

Estimate: GBP 950 - 1500