Archaeological Museum of Bologna

In Augustan age culminates the synthesis process between the Italic taste and Hellenistic tradition. An iconography renewal is determined by the success of the rural and bucolic scenes. If inspiration is linked to Hellenistic pastoral motives, popular also in other artistic products of the Augustan age, the ways to creation and style are rather inspired to italic models.

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This is an example of green chalcedony ('plasma'), where the scene of Oedipus' discovery is represented. Oedipus was abandoned in the Citeron mountain by his father, Laio, according to a prophecy. The man on the right support himself with stick and is wearing a cloack on his shoulder and a hat on his head. A dog in above his feet, in front of it, seating on a rock, a little boy. The tree on the background suggest a countryside space.

Provenance: Universitary Collection
Datation: End of 1st century BC
Material: plasma, green chalcedony
Dimensions: mm 13 x 11 x 4,2
Inventory #: Gl 89