A roman green jasper intaglio. Ithyphallic donkey and latin letters.

2nd century A.D.
15x12x5 mm

A donkey is facing left, carrying a saddle with armrests (sitting?) laboriously on its back. The animal is characterized by a naturalistic and marked anatomical rendering, a large prominent phallus, symbol of fertility. On the reverse, a latin inscription « EVM », engraved backward-looking. Signs of wear. Rare subject.

"
U.K. private collection

Estimate: GBP 400 - 600