A ROMAN AGATE CAMEO OF THE YOUNG NERO, 1ST CENTURY AD
Reference: ART600926
A highly important cameo portrait of the emperor Nero probably engraved at the time of his accession in 54 A.D. This cameo would have been produced in Rome upon the succession of Nero after the death of Claudius in 54 A.D. It should be remembered that such items were an important part of the imperial policy of distributing the emperor's image. Such cameos were produced in official workshops and would have been distributed to high ranking officials and their families. The cameo is missing a piece broken off behind the head of the emperor, it has been replaced by a gold sheet which is attached to a modern frame marked '750' or 18 carat gold.
Size 27 by 42 mm.
Weight: 10.5 gr.
PROVENANCE
Ex-European private collection acquired before 1970