The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 29, 2024

Intaglio: Imperial Eagle

Intaglio: Imperial Eagle

c. 1–25 CE
Location: 103 Roman

Did You Know?

According to the Roman author Pliny, ancient carnelian was primarily sourced from India.

Description

This intaglio, or engraved gem, depicts an eagle with wings partially spread, a lightning bolt clutched in its feet. The bird looks to the upper right, suggesting it may be about to take flight. This gem is expertly carved, with each individual feather of the eagle described with thin lines. The eagle was a symbol associated with the Roman imperial family, Roman military, and Jupiter, the supreme Roman deity. The setting is likely ancient, and it retains traces of enameling in some loops.
  • Lee, Sherman E. “The Year in Review for 1977.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 65, no. 1 (1978): 2–42. See p. 38, no. 3. www.jstor.org
  • Year in Review: 1977. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 28, 1977-January 22, 1978).
  • {{cite web|title=Intaglio: Imperial Eagle|url=false|author=|year=c. 1–25 CE|access-date=29 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1977.13