Large intaglio in chrysoprase engraved with a... Lot 14

Large intaglio in chrysoprase engraved with a deity holding a shepherd's staff, the pedum, and a bunch (?). She is represented naked, a cloth falling down in front of her marked with three deep folds. The head in profile is leaning towards the fruit ? held in her right hand. The stones used in most of the intaglios are siliceous minerals, a family that includes several groups of which the first, the most important, includes chalcedony and its varieties: carnelian, agate, onyx ... Plasma is a green chalcedony, more or less dark. The prase is part of this category and was rarely used, only in 2.7% of intaglios. They were already collected in the 1st century B.C. They adorned jewelry, rings, earrings, necklaces or furniture. Roman art, 2nd century AD. 25X17mm Collection of the grandparents of Mrs M.