A hand pinches an earlobe on this ancient cameo. Around the ear is another object, perhaps a knotted scarf or a diadem. The inscription reads: “Remember me, your dear sweetheart, and fare well, Sophronios.”They say this is Roman, meaning the eastern part of the empire, since the writing is Greek.
The ear-tweaking hand is a common motif signifying a request for attention. Gems like this were mementos of love and were given as gifts. This one must have been a heart-felt one.
2 comments:
The unknown object doesn't really look like a diadem or a knotted scarf to me, especially given how much more realistic the hand and scarf would be in comparison.
But what it -does- remind me of is a kombolói, or a string of worry beads. Is the date of this piece known? Because it if turned out to be a later period Byzantine artifact, then I'd find that to be a rather compelling explanation of the mystery symbol.
I found this in the main Getty collection:
http://www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/131469/unknown-maker-cameo-set-in-a-modern-mount-roman-5th-century/
Early 400s AD.
Post a Comment