Sardonyx Hercules Cameo

Illustration

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
by
published on 03 October 2016
Subscribe to author
Sardonyx Hercules Cameo Download Full Size Image

This sardonyx cameo depicts a man in profile looking to the left. Perhaps, he is Hercules. Skilful Roman cameo-carvers exploited the tonal contrast of some stones. This could be a simple two-tone contrast or a more subtle variation using all available gradations of shade. Sardonyx was particularly valued as a cameo stone. From the Townley Collection. Roman, 1st century BCE to 1st century CE. (The British Museum, London).

Remove Ads
Advertisement
Subscribe to this author

About the Author

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2016, October 03). Sardonyx Hercules Cameo. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5815/sardonyx-hercules-cameo/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Sardonyx Hercules Cameo." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified October 03, 2016. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5815/sardonyx-hercules-cameo/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Sardonyx Hercules Cameo." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 03 Oct 2016. Web. 21 Feb 2025.

Membership