A roman agate intaglio. Bust of Ptolemaic queen-Isis. The effigy is turned to the left, with head in profile and facing bust. The figure is characterized by long hair, having on her head a diadem with egyptian symbols of royal power; her breast is uncovered. The disposition of the face in profile with facing bust is ascribable to egyptian culture, and, in this specific case, to the ptolemaic ambit (e.g. effigies of Cleopatra and Arsinoe II). For comparisons: Cleopatra. Roma e l'incantesimo dell'Egitto, catalogo a cura di Giovanni Gentili, p. 112 n.28 (standing figure of Isis with breast uncover), p.113 n. 29 (statuette of Iside lactans), p.117 n. 33 (statuette of Isiac priestess or ptolemaic queen like Isis). Wear marks. Mirror-finish polishing of the intaglio, carried out on a particular stone type. 2nd - 1st century B.C.
12 x 13 x 2 mm