Ancient Roman Intaglio with Mercury and Cupid
02
days
23
hours
04
minutes
17
seconds
Current bid
€ 320
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 900 - € 1,000
28 other people are watching this object
 Bidder 1593 | €320 | |
|---|---|---|
 Bidder 7829 | €300 | |
 Bidder 0032 | €280 | |
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 121899 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Ancient Roman agate intaglio depicting Mercury and Cupid, oval 2.4 cm by 1.7 cm, in good condition, circa 1st–3rd century AD.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
An extremely fine Ancient Roman agate intaglio featuring male figure depicted in the nude. The intaglio is oval in shape with bevelled sides. The obverse has been carved with image of a male walking to the left and holding a child. The figure wears a petasos and chlamys and has a caduceus in his left hand, identifying him as Mercury, Roman god of commerce. Mercury is often depicted with infant Dionysus, however the wings of the infant depicted in this intaglio suggest that this is Eros or Cupid. Fine, intricate incisions portray elements such as the strands of hair, folds of drapery, and facial features of the two figures. The agate is predominantly brown with natural white striations and a veined pattern. The reverse is smooth and unadorned. This piece is supplied with a museum-quality impression.
The term intaglio refers to a small image that has been engraved into a gemstone and usually set in a piece of jewellery, most commonly a ring. Such artistic form has its origin in Sumer in the 4th millennium BC, with the appearance of cylinder and stamp seals, whereby decorations and patterns were engraved into soft stones. During the Hellenistic period and the early Roman Empire, the art of intaglio reached its apogee, with there being a steady decline in craftsmanship in the late Imperial Rome, until a revival of interest with the Byzantine and during the Renaissance.
Measurements: L 2.4cm x W 1.7cm
Provenance: From the collection of a Swiss gentleman formed in Europe from 1970-1980s; thence by descent from the family in London.
N.B. Delivery may be longer due to the busier period and we do not guarantee delivery before Christmas. Items paid for after the 19th December will be shipped after the New Year (week commencing on the 5th January 2026). **There will be an additional fee incurred for returned shipments due to buyer’s non-response to customs enquiries and/or unsuccessful delivery attempts.**
Seller's Story
N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.
ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price.
Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees.
Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images.
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
An extremely fine Ancient Roman agate intaglio featuring male figure depicted in the nude. The intaglio is oval in shape with bevelled sides. The obverse has been carved with image of a male walking to the left and holding a child. The figure wears a petasos and chlamys and has a caduceus in his left hand, identifying him as Mercury, Roman god of commerce. Mercury is often depicted with infant Dionysus, however the wings of the infant depicted in this intaglio suggest that this is Eros or Cupid. Fine, intricate incisions portray elements such as the strands of hair, folds of drapery, and facial features of the two figures. The agate is predominantly brown with natural white striations and a veined pattern. The reverse is smooth and unadorned. This piece is supplied with a museum-quality impression.
The term intaglio refers to a small image that has been engraved into a gemstone and usually set in a piece of jewellery, most commonly a ring. Such artistic form has its origin in Sumer in the 4th millennium BC, with the appearance of cylinder and stamp seals, whereby decorations and patterns were engraved into soft stones. During the Hellenistic period and the early Roman Empire, the art of intaglio reached its apogee, with there being a steady decline in craftsmanship in the late Imperial Rome, until a revival of interest with the Byzantine and during the Renaissance.
Measurements: L 2.4cm x W 1.7cm
Provenance: From the collection of a Swiss gentleman formed in Europe from 1970-1980s; thence by descent from the family in London.
N.B. Delivery may be longer due to the busier period and we do not guarantee delivery before Christmas. Items paid for after the 19th December will be shipped after the New Year (week commencing on the 5th January 2026). **There will be an additional fee incurred for returned shipments due to buyer’s non-response to customs enquiries and/or unsuccessful delivery attempts.**
Seller's Story
N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.
ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price.
Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees.
Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images.
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/ Timeframe
Circa 1st-3rd Century AD
Name of object
Intaglio with Mercury and Cupid
Acquired from
Private collection
Subject/Depiction
Eros, Mercury
Year acquired
2000
Country acquired from
Unknown
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
Previous owner - country acquired from
Unknown
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
