A graeco-persian agate seal. Scene with two characters.

4th century B.C.

Diam. 25 mm circa x 10 mm.

A female figure with a headdress, presumably a Persian woman of royal rank, is seated on a throne and receives an offer from a young male character. Thin groundline. Use of engraved globular elements of both large and small dimensions, and small incised sections. Attractivehoney tone. Light signs of wear. Through hole. Rare. The specimen is referable to the "Bern Group", identified and described by J. Boardman, in: Greek Gems & Finger Rings, New York, 1972, pp. 320 ff., Tav. 960 - 972; P. Callieri, Seals and Sealings from the North-West of the Indian Subcontinent and Afghanistan, Naples 1997. pp. 84 -90, tav. 12-3; Beazley Archive, Gem Database, Bern Group (Seated Persian woman with a flower. Cambridge. Pale red all-stone ring. 22mm. GGFR pl. 966). M. Henig, Classical Gems, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, p. 43 n. 71.

Provenance: UK private collection D.C.

Estimate: GBP 2000 - 3000