An exceptional intaglio showing three heads next to each other, one facing while the two others are shown in profile. If seen the other way, the wide jowled young man becomes a bald satyr with a large beard. Such stones were very popular in the first century A.D. and delighted both the wearer and those who would be shown the visual puzzles.
18 x 15 mm Dark red jasper. 1st c.A.D. Roman
PROVENANCE
Ex-European private collection acquired before 1970