Getty Museum

Cameo

Date

2nd century B.C.

Medium

Banded agate

Culture

Greek (Ptolemaic)

Department

Jewelry

Institution

Getty Museum

Carved in cameo technique is a double portrait of two heads facing left. The foreground figure in dark stone is a beardless male wearing what resembles a radiate crown. It recalls the spiky crown worn by Roman emperors, but the head does not readily match any known portrait. Carved behind him in white is the head of a bearded male with rugged features resembling a typical depiction of Hercules. The gem has been drilled through lengthwise as though once suspended or mounted.

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