Hi, all. I wanted to post this wonderfully detailed
gem for any comments or additional information. The volumes appear cut with a rounded(?) drill and possibly polished(?). Additional details were made with a cutting wheel, I think. A galley is one of the
symbols associated with the Tenth Legion, stationed at Caesarea and Jerusalem in the 1st-early 2nd Century CE. At first I thought the standing figure would be the emperor, but now I am thinking it may be
Mars. On the horizontal sides are two cuts meant to secure the
gem in a mounting, one of which is chipped away. Thanks for any corrections, V-drome
BCC G5
Roman Gem Stone Intaglio Caesarea Maritima 1st-2nd century CE
War Galley to left, three helmeted soldiers
w/ shields, two
vexilla, commander (
Mars?)
standing at prow, and rows of oars.
Transparent red/orange Carnelian or Garnet?
Profile:F2/F3v. Truncated
cone, horizontal
oval, flat bottom and slightly convex top.
10.25 x 8.5 x 2.75mm 0.45gm.
Extremely
rare type, previously
unpublished from Caesarea.
Surface find, 1972
J. Berlin Caesarea CollectionClick for larger pic
