roman scarab ?

[rami1785]

can you guys identify
Roman scarab ?
type of the stone , gemstone ?

[djmacdo]

Etruscan, gobular style.  About fifth-fourth century B.C., of I remember correctly.  I have not studied Etruscan gems for many years.

[Russ]

Hi Rami,

Just an observation... I also associated the globolo style with the Etruscans but it existed long before the Etuscans and elsewhere. From your photos, the scarab seems to be carved from a dark opaque stone. If the color of the stone is black or silvery, it could be hematite; if it is brown (the color of milk chocolate), it may be a variety of hematite called goethite.

Your scarab does not look Etruscan, at least not to me. There is a class of scarab/seal, originating (?) in northern Syria, Circa 1000 BC, that is closer to yours. See: Keel-Leu, H. Vorderasiatische Stempelsiegel, Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis 110, Freiburg/Gottingen, 1991: Nos. 65 and 66.

Russ

[djmacdo]

Russ,

Could well be.  The scarab, now that you point it out, does look Syrian, but the cow and calf type seems more Etruscan to me.  Interesting point.

[stevex6]

Very cool scarab ... congrats on scoring that neat animal-type (it's a total winner)

The two that I have are not carved from the same material as your new addition, so posting my examples would be of little help.

... congrats again (very neat item to possess)

 

[rami1785]

thank you guys gd job