Sale: CNG 81, Lot: 1441. Estimate $200.
Closing Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2009.
Sold For $225. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. |
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Garnet intaglio with altar. Sasanian, 3rd-4th centuries AD. Intaglio seal engraved with altar with stylized flames. Length: 1.2 cm. Minor chips.
The name “garnet”’ probably comes from the seeds of the pomegranate (punica granatum). Mostly found in Turkey, it was the favoured stone during the Hellenistic period, and then again in the 5th century AD. Cabochon garnets, also called red carbuncles, were often hollowed on the underside to lighten the color of the stone.
