Lot 1720 A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO WITH SEA MONSTER, 1ST-2ND CENTURY AD
Reference: ART600227
A Roman carnelian intaglio showing a sea monster to the left. In this case we see a sea griffon in the usual pose of the tail being curved upwards. The technique used here is to colour the surface of the stone with a treatment of an alkali to oxidise or 'burn' the surface. Then the engraver cuts through this layer to produce an attractive contrast between the field and the type.
12 by 8.5 mm.
PROVENANCE
From a European collection formed in the 1980's.