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a roman agate intaglio. faustulus with inscriptions.

A Roman agate intaglio. Faustulus with inscriptions.

£1800

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e-shop /

a roman agate intaglio. faustulus with inscriptions.

A Roman agate intaglio. Faustulus with inscriptions.

£1800

Agate
1,25 x 1,45 x 0,6 cm
1st century A.D.

The lentoid agate bead is pierced lengthwise. On the darker layer the engraved scene shows a shepherd standing facing right with his herd. He holds a stick. In the field, in front of him, latin inscriptions "M.AL / B.HIL". Groundline. Wear marks on the surface of the stone. 

Faustulus was the shepherd who takes in Romulus and Remus, after having killed the she-wolf who fed them in the Lupercal cave, on the Palatine Hill.
Faustulus and his wife, Acca Larentia, raised the two twins in their cabin, later called "House of Romulus". When the two brothers are old enough to understand, Faustulus teaches them the truth about their origin.
It seems that Faustulus died accidentally, trying to separate the two brothers during the brawl caused by their disagreement over the location of the new city.

A similar intaglio in the Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg (Fürtwangler III, 3,2) 



 

For a similar intaglio with the same inscription see FURTWÄNGLER,A., Die Antiken Geschichte der Steinschneidekunst im Klassischen Altertum, 1985, n°48, pl. XXVIII

Each piece of jewellery is delivered with an authentification certificate signed by Bianca Massard and Gabriele Vangelli experts, including additional documentation if existing and exhaustive description of the piece.

We deliver worldwide.
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Approximate delivery time from date of dispatch are:
- United Kingdom 3-6 Business Days
- Europe 6-10 Business Days
- USA, Canada & Far East 6-10 Business Days
- Rest of the World 10-12 Business Days

Please note that if you choose to have resizing, the delivery delay can be longer. 
For international orders and EU, ne aware that all orders can be subject to additional government duties and fees. These charges are solely determined by the arrival of countries customs authorities. The amount of duties and taxes will be charged upon delivery. 

Each piece of jewellery is delivered with an authentification certificate signed by Bianca Massard and Gabriele Vangelli experts, including additional documentation if existing and exhaustive description of the piece.

We deliver worldwide.
Check if your country is on our list

Approximate delivery time from date of dispatch are:
- United Kingdom 3-6 Business Days
- Europe 6-10 Business Days
- USA, Canada & Far East 6-10 Business Days
- Rest of the World 10-12 Business Days

Please note that if you choose to have resizing, the delivery delay can be longer. 
For international orders and EU, ne aware that all orders can be subject to additional government duties and fees. These charges are solely determined by the arrival of countries customs authorities. The amount of duties and taxes will be charged upon delivery. 

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