Ancient Roman Banded Agate Intaglio of a Roaring Lion, Ring Stone

Roman, Imperial period. An oval ringstone of milky banded agate, its convex face engraved in intaglio with a lion in profile. The beast walks along a short ground line, its mane rendered in tight drilled strokes, its tail curving over its back, and its jaws open as if mid-roar. A thin translucent band runs around the edge beneath the opaque white upper layer, showing the stratified stone. Wheel and drill have given the haunches and shoulders a muscular economy, and the wax impression shows a compact, lively animal well fitted to the oval. Gems like this were set in finger rings and pressed into wax or clay to seal documents and goods. The lion is perhaps here as an emblem of strength or protection, or possibly as the zodiac sign Leo. Roman gem engravers did not cut the stone with a blade. They worked it on a lathe-like bow drill fitted with small iron or copper wheels and drill bits fed with an abrasive slurry, usually emery or crushed corundum, since quartz-family stones such as agate are too hard for metal alone. The engraver worked in reverse and checked progress against wax impressions, much like the modern impression that accompanies this gem. That is why the lion reads one way on the stone and the other way in the seal. Agate and other chalcedonies were among the favorite stones of Roman glyptic. They are hard enough to keep fine detail through years of use as seals, and they take a pleasing polish. Banded stones were valued for their layering. When cut so the bands run parallel to the face, a pale upper layer could sit over a translucent or darker base, as here. Lions were among the most popular animal subjects on Roman ringstones. They show up alone, striding or crouching, sometimes with a bull's head or other prey beneath a paw, and sometimes with a star or crescent that points to astrological meaning. For the wearer, a lion could stand for courage and might, for the sign Leo, or for the solar associations the animal held across the Mediterranean world. Which of these meanings applied to any one owner usually cannot be known. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. Item # 205890

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