Description:

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A radiant Roman pendant of extraordinary fineness, composed of 99.03% gold (approximately 23.8 karats) and inset with a richly hued carnelian intaglio. The warm red gem, partially weathered at its edge, has been skillfully carved in low relief to depict the rustic god Pan - a bearded, horned, and goat-legged deity mid-dance. He holds a shepherd's crook in one hand and a pan pipe in the other, evoking his divine connection to music, revelry, and the untamed countryside. Framed by a twisted gold wire border and set in a finely hammered sheet back, the piece exemplifies Roman craftsmanship in both its material purity and mythological resonance. The choice of carnelian - a gemstone associated with vitality and protection - underscores the talismanic function of the pendant, while the figure of Pan calls upon nature's energy and uninhibited joy. Size: 0.75" L x 0.5" W (1.9 cm x 1.3 cm); gold quality: 99.03% (23.8 karat): weight: 1.6 grams

Such pendants would have served not only as adornment but as protective amulets, possibly linked to pastoral life, Dionysian worship, or erotic themes. Despite its modest scale, the object pulses with motion and myth, preserving a moment of divine dance in burnished red and brilliant gold.

Provenance: private Dayton, Maryland, USA collection; ex-private F. B. collection, Maryland, USA, acquired between 1990 to 2010

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#196146

  • Condition: Two small chips to upper right and mid-left of intaglio, with some minor bending to bezel, but, otherwise, intact, excellent, and wearable with good remaining detail.

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August 7, 2025 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$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
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