A ROMAN CAMEO OF A WALKING LION, 1ST-2ND CENTURY AD

Reference: ART4001887

A very fine cameo of a lion walking to the right in banded agate. The lion is shown engraved in a band of orange/red while the background is white. The subject and representation of the prowling or walking lion is extremely popular in the whole period of the Roman Empire and symbolizes strength and virtue. The subject was so popular that it was taken up in medieval and later art.
27 by 19 mm.

PROVENANCE
Ex-European private collection acquired before 1970