A ROMAN INTAGLIO IN CARNELIAN OF AN EAGLE FIGHTING... Lot 33

A ROMAN INTAGLIO IN CARNELIAN OF AN EAGLE FIGHTING A SNAKE, 2ND CENTURY AD A Roman intaglio in carnelian of an eagle fighting a snake, the eagle on the ground with its wings spread holding the tail of the snake with one claw. This type, popularised by the Greeks, was adopted by the Romans during the empire to show the triumph of Rome against her enemies. In this case it is probable that the wearer was a soldier. Dark red carnelian 13 by 9 mm.