Sculpted in high relief is the mask of a comic slave, with a characteristic megaphone-like mouth. He has large eyes with deeply drilled pupils, a thick arching unibrow and conforming creases on his high forehead. Masks as well as depictions of masked actors were popular subjects for cameos, most typically cut in onyx or sardonyx in order to exploit the color contrasts of the strata of the stone. Very few are cut on monochrome stones, as here (see the carnelian example, no. 77 in Boardman, Engraved Gems, The Ionides Collection).
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Masterpieces in Miniature: Ancient Engraved Gems formerly in the G. Sangiorgi Collection Part III
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The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
Intact, some abrasions and tiny chips to the mask, inlcuding the edge of the mouth and on the sides of the mask; some natural internal veining to the stone.
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