Intaglio depicting the head of Medusa.

Intaglio depicting the head of Medusa.
Roman imperial art, 1st-2nd century AD.
Red carnelian.

H. : 1 cm

Beautiful deep engraving for this highly sought subject.

Expressive face, winged hairstyle, side strands and snakes.

The subject of the Medusa, whose decapitated head was offered by Perseus to Athena who adorned the breastplate of its armour to petrify its enemies, was widely used during Roman antiquity as a talisman to guard against the evil fate. It occurs into mosaic at the entrance of some Roman villas in order to protect against the evil eye.