Asta Bidspirit | A rare agate cameo set

A rare agate cameo set in a modern gold ring. Partridge. 2nd - 3rd century A.D. Stone 13 x 16 mm; ring size diam. 18 mm; 11,83 gr. The bird is facing right, with its head slightly lowered forward. The engraver masterfully used the polychrome clear layer over a dark background with naturalistic purpose. The colors of the stone imitate the plumage and cartilages of the bird. Little missing on the edge, as the stone was pierced as a bead. Parallel: for the same subject, on the same stone with the same style see U. Pannuti, Catalogo della collezione glittica vol II, Napoli, Museo Nazionale, pp. 281-283 (Farnese Collection).