Angels holding a cross
Intaglio
400-500 (made)
400-500 (made)
| Place of origin |
An intaglio carving is cut into the surface of the material and a cameo is in relief. The art of gemstone carving was known in ancient Greece and Rome and revived in Renaissance Italy, when connoisseurs began to form rich collections of engraved stones. Shell cameos, which were cheaper and more easily worked, became fashionable in the 19th century. Many were bought by tourists as souvenirs.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Angels holding a cross |
| Materials and techniques | Chalcedony, with cast |
| Brief description | Chalcedony intaglio depicting two angels holding a cross, Iran (Sassanian), 5th to 6th century |
| Physical description | Chalcedony intaglio. The seal faces bears a rough representation of two figures in short dresses (angels) facing one another. Between them is a staff with a cross, on the left an ornament. The seal is formed of a sector of a chalcedony pebble. A hole is pierced transversely. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Mr Alfred Behrens |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | An intaglio carving is cut into the surface of the material and a cameo is in relief. The art of gemstone carving was known in ancient Greece and Rome and revived in Renaissance Italy, when connoisseurs began to form rich collections of engraved stones. Shell cameos, which were cheaper and more easily worked, became fashionable in the 19th century. Many were bought by tourists as souvenirs. |
| Bibliographic reference | Trusted, Majorie. ed. The Making of Sculpture: the Materials and Techniques of European Sculpture. London: V&A Publications, 2007. p. 145. pl. 272. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.36-1928 |
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| Record created | November 1, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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