• Rome, 1st century
  • Cornaline 
  • Inv. 2760

Roman gem

This gem shows a naked dancing satyr whose head is thrown back. He has a lion skin hanging from his left arm and a drinking cup in his left hand, while his right hand holds a thyrsus decorated with a ribbon. This very popular motif in Roman decorative arts, particularly for gems, derives from a Greek prototype.

Although the Calouste Gulbenkian collection of gems and cameos is small in size, it includes excellent quality pieces.

Alfred Morrison Collection. Acquired by Calouste Gulbenkian at Christie's, London, 1898.

H. 19.2 mm; W. 13.2 mm; D. 3.7 mm

Spier 2001

Jeffrey Spier, A Catalogue of the Calouste Gulbenkian Collection of Gems. Lisbon: Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, 2001, p. 57, cat. 29.

Updated on 22 april 2022

Cookies settings

Cookies Selection

This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience, security, and its website performance. We may also use cookies to share information on social media and to display messages and advertisements personalised to your interests, both on our website and in others.