A rare roman banded agate intaglio. Siren.
1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.
13 x 17 x 3 mm
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A rare roman banded agate intaglio. Siren.
1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.
13 x 17 x 3 mm

This finely engraved stone depicts a mythological hybrid creature described by Homere in the Odysseus as a marine singer living near Carybde and Sylla. These creatures enchanted the sailors who landed there recklessly and making them die. The winged body was human on the upper part and bird on the lower part with sharp nails on the feet. The sirens are strictly referred to the musical world, playing the lyre or the double flute (aula). The hybrid anatomy could resulted by an enchantment from Aphrodite or Demeter. On the glyptic, the subject is very rare and the model could be inspired by roman mosaics iconography. The creature is holding the musical instruments in both hands and the face is engraved in three-quarters with expertise. The bird legs and the feathers are engraved with naturalistic details. Attractive variety of the stone with ancient wear marks.