A LARGE ROCK CRYSTAL PLAQUE, ENGRAVED AND MOUNTED IN A GOLD AND SILVER FRAME, LATE 2ND - EARLY THIRD CENTURY A.D.

A large rock crystal plaque which has been engraved with a winged putto holding a lyre in his left hand and a plectrum in his right. He stands facing us with his legs apart possibly advancing, with his head turned slightly to the right.
Probably Severan period judging by the iconography. Late 2nd / early 3rd c A.D.
The engraved details have been backed with a polished gold foil which reflects the design effectively to appear in bas relief.
The large intaglio is mounted in a heavily gilt frame which is added to a very heavy and thick beaded wire (gilt?) held at the corners by four rivets which hold the wire into a deep groove.
Four holes are drilled into the corners, three of which have the remains of copper alloy rivets. At the back the rock crystal is held by a backing made of thick silver sheet which itself is held together with soldering and overlapping seams. The ensemble would have fitted into an object which we can surmise was probably a very imposing piece of furniture such as a casket or inlay for a very sumptuous interior.
10.8 by 9.4 by 1.4 cm.
300 grams.

PROVENANCE
Private European family collection since 2000s

CONDITION
In excellent preservation with a large crack in the crystal in the lower part with a small chip missing where the crack divides.

CATALOGUE NOTE
There are two very clear parallels of the present piece in the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Musee des Antiquities in Rouen, namely a large triangular rock crystal plaque with a putto playing a flute with Bacchic attributes at his feet and an oblong rock crystal showing a seated faun playing two pipes. These large scale intaglios must have served a similar function to the present piece and have been inlays in valuable ensembles owned by the wealthiest in society.