TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 153
1st century AD. An emerald or rare chromium green chalcedony cloison, intaglio frieze depicting three figures on a baseline: a central bearded figure in armour with wreath to the brow holding a sceptre in the crook of his left arm, right arm bent around a spear held by an advancing figure in profile wearing a sagum (military cloak) and helmet with a spear resting on his shoulder, third figure in military dress, bareheaded with a spear and other object(s) in the crook of his left arm; set in a substantial later gold ring. Cf. Ruseva-Slokoska, L. Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, item 202 for type. 24.11 grams, 27.66mm overall, 20.56 x 15.93mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 3/4, USA 18 1/2, Europe 18 1/2, Japan 17) (1"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent, supplied with geologic report No. TL003122, by geologic consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz. Dr. Bonewitz opines that emeralds of this size and colour were very rare in the Roman world but are not unknown. The other possibility – chromium chalcedony (also called chrome chalcedony) – is itself a rarity in ancient jewelry. Its source was in modern Turkey (then Anatolia), and the stone disappeared from Roman jewelry in the second century AD. The source was small and was not rediscovered until late in the 20th century. In either instance the stone is rare and unusual. [A video of this lot is available on the TimeLine Auctions website] Extremely fine condition. A large wearable size.
