Lot 1748 A BROWN AGATE INTAGLIO OF A FAUN, 2ND-1ST CENTURY BC

A brown agate intaglio showing the bust of a faun facing left, his bust shown nude with his crook over his shoulder. A popular Bacchic theme throughout Antiquity, the young faun with his strong stare evokes the vigor of the cult as opposed too the old satyr who is happy to get drunk more quietly. The shape of the stone with a flat back and high cabochon front, along with the technique of the engraving show this to be the product of a central Italian workshop often given to late Etruria and Republican Rome.
13 by 11 mm.