Rare, roman republican striped agate intaglio. Erotic-phallic allegory. An avian...

Rare, roman republican striped agate intaglio. Erotic-phallic allegory. An avian is leaning on a big,erect and winged penis, in the act of pecking its ending part, from which small jets come out. In the field, a small palm branch and the inscription AVR. Every detail is characterized by a strong search for realism (plumage, veins on the penis). The intaglio has a particularly deep carving. Presence of small globular elements, of an italic influence. The gem must have been undergone some exposure to heat,and is lightly burnt. To be mentioned: light internal cracks, wear and burn marks, a chipping on the rear and one on the edge. To be noticed, other than the extraordinariness and rarity of the iconography and the engraving-composing competence, is the peculiar choice of the agate type, which possesses bright reflections in the rear, similar to those of a chalcedony. Allegorical intaglio, referred to the sphere of fertility and sexual power, and of an apotropaic and auspicious kind, without excluding a certain grotesque aspect, suggested by the face of an elderly, emerging from the avian's back. 1st century B.C.
13 x 11 x 3 mm