Roman Glass Intaglio Set into 21K Gold Pendant

Roman, late Imperial period, ca. 5th to 6th century CE. A delicate ovoid glass intaglio featuring an etched image of a bishop, standing, with a tall processional cross to one side. The miter and robes are well-rendered and the figure stands in contrapposto, emphasizing the influence of Roman art on the Byzantines at this early time. The glass is a rich, deep cornflower blue color. This ancient intaglio is set into a modern 21 karat gold pendant with granulated edges and a granulated loop for suspension; this is strung on a modern leather cord with a gold-plated clasp to form a necklace you can wear immediately. See a similar motif featuring two bishops with a processional cross on a Byzantine intaglio at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (2002.483.8). Size of intaglio: 0.5" W x 0.65" H (1.3 cm x 1.7 cm); necklace is: 16.25" L (41.3 cm)

Provenance: ex-California, USA collection, acquired at Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; intaglio purchased at Bonhams in the 2000s

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#148863
Condition Report: Pendant, cord, and clasp are all modern. The intaglio is intact, with a dark patina on its undecorated side and faint hints of pearlescence on its decorated front. The motif is well preserved.