Magic, green jasper intaglio. Emblematic composition, of a magic-allegorical nature:...

Magic, green jasper intaglio. Emblematic composition, of a magic-allegorical nature: in the center, a ring, which has a silenus mask on the set; on the left side, a six-pointed star and a butterfly, while on the right side, specularly, a half moon and a butterfly; in the lower section, a burning altar with a scale on top. In the upper section, a hybrid animal creature, with the body of an avian and the head of a mammal. A second half moon appears in the center of the gem, inside the ring. For some details, the work has been done with the same instruments used by the ancients, but the stone doesn't show any wear marks nor an ancient polishing (instead, a uniform refining, even on the reverse, is noticeable). Small chipping on the reverse. Unusual and imaginative iconography, of a mixed style and an interesting decorative effect, full of magic and apotropaic values. Post-classical work. Presumably 19th century. ( Ex Hermann Historica - Auktion 72aw , 22/04/2016, n. 4606 Drei magische Gemmen, 2.- 3. jhdt, intaglio sold as an artefact from the roman era).
28 x 20 x 4 mm