ROMAN INTALIA. MARINE SCENE. Carnelian Dimensions: 0.8 x 1.1 x 0.2 cm Roman art, 1st century BC. Provenance French private collection, acquired on the art market, before 2000 Oval intaglio engraved on translucent orange carnelian. The marine scene features several creatures: a large crustacean (prawn or lobster) with long, curved antennae and an arched, segmented abdomen, occupying the central field; below, a cephalopod (octopus or squid) with outstretched tentacles; in the top right-hand corner, a cruciform star; a trident crosses the field. The engraving is in the so-called ‘a globolo’ style: — eyes, the joints of the legs and tentacles, and the globular bulges of the bodies. The result is a rough yet vigorous execution, composed of juxtaposed rounded mounds. Signs of wear on the surface of the stone. An Early Roman carnelian globolo intaglio. Marine scene. 1st century BCE.