古羅馬 红玛瑙阴刻 封印 - 15.9 mm - Minerva控股胜利 (沒有保留價)

Ancient Roman Carnelian Intaglio Seal with Minerva Holding Victory- circa 1st–3rd century AD

A finely engraved oval carnelian intaglio depicting Minerva (Athena), the Roman goddess of wisdom and warfare. The goddess is shown standing in classical contrapposto, wearing a crested helmet and holding a long spear. In her extended hand she presents a small winged Victory (Nike), symbolizing triumph and divine favor. A shield is placed at her side, reinforcing her martial identity.

The composition is carefully balanced within a smooth oval field, with well-rendered drapery and proportion typical of Roman Imperial glyptic work. The engraving is executed in negative relief, intended for use as a personal seal when mounted in a ring.

Material:
Natural carnelian (chalcedony quartz), displaying a warm translucent orange-red tone with subtle internal inclusions typical for the material.

Dimensions and Weight
Length: 15.9 mm
Width: 12.3 mm
Weight: 1.0 gram

Condition: Excellent ancient condition.
Engraving remains clear and readable
Minor surface wear consistent with age and use
Edges slightly softened from handling
No visible cracks or modern repairs

Intaglios depicting Minerva with Victory are well documented in Roman glyptic art, particularly in the Imperial period. The iconography and engraving style strongly support this attribution. As with all ancient gems lacking archaeological provenance, the dating is based on stylistic comparison and should be considered well-founded but not absolute.

Function:
Originally intended as a seal stone, this intaglio would have been set into a ring and used to impress wax or clay, serving both as a personal identifier and a symbol of status.

Provenance:
From an old European private collection formed in the 1980s .
Provenance and declaration of legal origin is available in PDF format upon request.

Notes for Collectors:
Classic and desirable Roman subject (Minerva with Victory)
Fine small-scale engraving suitable for ring mounting or display
Attractive color and translucency of the carnelian
Collectible example of Roman glyptic art