Description:

Eastern Mediterranean to Asia Minor, Byzantine, ca. 5th to 7th century CE. A striking stone cameo skillfully carved with a female visage, perhaps the Virgin Mary or a veiled goddess, with delicate features - large almond-shaped eyes, arched brows, an aquiline nose, full closed lips, fleshy cheeks, and a flowing veil over her centrally-parted wavy coiffure. The stone itself is inherently beautiful, presenting soft pastel green hues. Usually displayed as pendants suspended over the chest and close to the wearer's heart and sometimes used to decorate manuscript covers, such pieces were believed to not only glorify the word of God but also serve as protective amulets. This resonated with the Christian notion of an appeal to Christ or the Virgin for healing, assistance, and protection. Size: 1.5" W x 1.45" H (3.8 cm x 3.7 cm); 2" H (5.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Frances Artuner collection, Belgium, collected in the 1960s

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#136252

  • Condition: A fragment as shown, but still lovely. Small scratches and pitting on the surface, but the form and details are nicely preserved with light patina.

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July 16, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000