Amulet gemstone depicting Hercules
This intaglio is made from glass which was a cheap substitute for gems or semi-precious stones. It has a hole pierced through the stone which suggests it was worn suspended rather than in a ring. The surface is pitted and chipped with a large piece missing at the top of the stone. The image shows the Greco-Roman god Hercules. He is nude, beardless and has short curly hair, standing with his head in profile and his body is turned towards the right. In his right hand he holds the top of his down-turned club. In his left hand he holds a locust as a symbol of his power to ward off destructive plagues of locusts.
Object Summary
- Accession Loan No.
- 5/1946/360
- Category
- Antiquities
- Collection Class
- Foreign archaeology
- Collector Excavator
- Montague, LAD
- Material
- glass
- Common Name
- amulet gemstone depicting Hercules
- Simple Name
- amulet
- Period Classification
- Roman Imperial - 31 BC-476 AD
