Extraordinary and rare phalera of Imperial Roman Age, in precious chalcedony. Portrait of Eros.

Extraordinary Roman Imperial phalera in remarkable bluish chalcedony with bright shades. The specimen, of an oval shape, depicts Eros’ face, the which is characterized by his typical plumpy cheeks and the small, semi-closed mouth. The pupils show the iris, which is carved towards the upper part; the hair, delicately engraved with great gentleness and refinement, are harmoniously arranged on the sides and tied by a knot. The artifact is visibly intact; on the edge and back it shows traces of the ancient bronze setting, the which is tenaciously stuck to the stone. The very fine executive and stylistic refinement, not usual for this kind of artifacts, and the choice of the stone quality (the which shows a wonderful polishing) make this item especially valuable. Its dating is set between the 1st and the 2nd century A.D.
Provenance: Ex-Christie's, London, 21st November 1978, lot. 307-plate 54 (“A fine Hellenistic Chalcedony mask of Eros from a breast ornament, carved in cameo, and with part of the bronze or copper surround still adhering to it - 1 ½ x 1 in. circa 3rd Century B.C. -in fitted velvet case”) . A similar specimen, even though of a less refined technique and style, has been sold at Sotheby’s (NY) during the antique auction of the 12th December 2013, lot 54. Phaleras are considered as military decorations to be worn on suits of armour, as testimony of an act of valor. Those decorations were usually made of bronze (and depicting lion protomes, masques of Eros and Gorgons and portrayed busts), and more suitable for battles, even for horse harness. The chalcedony specimens, really more delicate and precious, should rather be related to the situation of triumphal parades, or of award assignments for military values. On roman soldiers they were organized in three rows, and tied with straps made of reinforced leather; they formed a kind of breastplate which was worn and then fastened on the armour. The funeral stela of the highly decorated centurion Marcus Celius, who bravely died with the VIIIth legion in the Teutoburg forest, shows him with all his military decorations on; among these, there were five phaleras on the breast (Landesmuseum, Bonn).
References: M. Feugère “Phalères romaines en calcédoine” in Miscellanea di studi archeologici e di Antichità vol 3, 1989, pp. 31-51; idem vol 2, 1986, pp. 89-132. See also Antonio Giuliano, I cammei dalla Collezione Medicea del Museo Archeologico di Firenze. cameo 39 x 25, mounting mm 42 x 37 x 21
1st and 2nd century A.D.