A ROMAN GNOSTIC INTAGLIO IN AGATE, 3RD CENTURY AD A ROMAN GNOSTIC INTAGLIO IN AGATE, 3RD CENTURY AD A ROMAN GNOSTIC INTAGLIO IN AGATE, 3RD CENTURY AD A ROMAN GNOSTIC INTAGLIO IN AGATE, 3RD CENTURY AD

A ROMAN GNOSTIC INTAGLIO IN AGATE, 3RD CENTURY AD

Reference: ART600875

A very interesting gnostic intaglio made on a dark grey mottled agate. The front shows two snakes whose tails seem to turn into rods(?) which are then held in the mouths of the opposing creature. Around the type is a legend mainly in Greek and seemingly formulaic. The reverse shows a more conventional scene in terms of gnostic iconography: a man walks behind a lion towards the left, they are atop a figure lying prostate on the ground. They walk towards a draped figure, possibly a woman. In the field are symbols for the sun and the moon. Various formulaic inscriptions and abbreviations are found in the fields.
22 by 19 mm.
Weight: 3.1 gr.
Grey agate with inclusions. Roman 3rd.c.A.D.