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an image of a carved orange agate with a man holding a swordan image of a silver coin with an image of a man on ita picture of a picture of a man holding a sword
Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo

30 - ROMAN ENGRAVING. MARS GRADIVUS Carnelian Dimensions: 1.
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Estimate €1,200 - €1,400
Sale commission
Description
ROMAN ENGRAVING. MARS GRADIVUS Carnelian Dimensions: 1.1 x 1.6 x 0.2 cm Roman art, 2nd century Provenance Formerly in the private collection of Mr R., acquired on the French art market between the 1900s and the early 2000s An oval intaglio on translucent orange carnelian depicting Mars Gradivus — Mars ‘who advances into battle’ — on the march. The god, heroically nude, wears a helmet with a tall, plumed crest; he carries a trophy (tropaeon) consisting of captured weapons over his shoulder and holds a spear, whilst a panel of his chlamys flutters behind him. A star occupies the lower part of the field. The engraving, linear and vigorous, is characteristic of a style common in imperial Roman glyptics. The heroic nudity identifies the figure as the god rather than a mere soldier. The quintessential warrior and victor, Mars Gradivus is one of the most popular subjects in Roman intaglios, worn in particular by soldiers as tokens of protection and valour; the star adds a celestial and protective element. For a similar gem, see the Archaeological Museum of Venice: an intaglio of Mars Gradivus on chalcedony. A Roman carnelian intaglio. Mars Gradivus. 1st–2nd century AD.
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About the sale FROM CAESAR TO CAESAR
Auction location
Auction time 07/08/2026 at 3:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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