Archaeological Museum of Bologna

Since the Renaissance a fruitful season for glyptics opens, not only because in this period begin to form the rich collections of popes and princes, but mainly because it tries to imitate the masterpieces of ancient engravers experimenting new carving techniques.

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The art of engraving in the Renaissance striclty deal with th bronze sculpture of small pieces: often engravers are also mmedalists. This agate is an example: Artemisia's portrait (Caria's queen from 353 BC to 350 BC) is is an accurate reproduction od a medal from Giovanni da Cavino's school, nopw in the Museum (inv. 72978). Thanks to the bronze medals with queen's bust and her name's inscription in greek letters we succeed in identify this portrait.

Provenance: unknow
Datation: 16th century AD
Material: white and yellow agate
Dimensions: mm 23 x 18,5 x 3,3
Inventory #: Gl 170