gemstone engraving

MAC GIR-023151

Object type stone engraving

Culture/period

Materials stone

Technique stone carving

Mint

Production date 1 / 100

Seu Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya - Girona

Current location MASPG

Archaeological site Empúries

Township Escala, l' (Alt Empordà)

Dimensions 29 x 27,5 x 6 mm

Description

Roman intaglio from Empúries (L'Escala, Alt Empordà), made in jasper, 2.9 cm long and 2.7 cm wide. These types of ornaments are small gemstones carved with a low relief at the top that were embedded in jewellery such as rings or pendants. In the case of this intaglio we can see three female figures making an offering to an altar of a phallic Hermes. The first female figure on the left is depicted leaning towards the altar, the second figure behind the first carries in her hands a mirror or arch, and the last one plays a double flute. Intaglios could represent very diverse decorative motifs: divinities, symbols, faces, figures, symbols or animals.

Omeka ID 3208