A roman double-layered onyx cameo. Female bust.

3rd century A.D.
7x15x6 mm

A roman, double-layer onyx cameo. Bust of a woman. The effigy is in profile to the right. The hair forms a striped mass, which falls down on the neck in a braid and arching ("helmfrisur" hairdo). The ear is uncovered, rather big; the neck is elongated, while the nose is partially lacking. The bust is draped, the fabric engraved with angular pleats. Stylized portrait, typical of 2nd century A.D. (see coins of Giulia Mesa, Giulia Soemia, Julia Paula, Aquila Severa), but with numerous extensions until 3rd century A.D. The bust is clearly detached from the field in undercut.
For comparisons: U. Pannuti, Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli. La collezione glittica, pp. 248-251; Martin Henig, The Content Cameos, pp. 45-48. 3rd century A.D
"
U.K. private collection

Estimate: GBP 400 - 600