Bidspirit auction | A roman italic banded agate

A roman italic banded agate intaglio. Muse. 2nd century B.C. 9 x 15 x 2 mm The female figure is turned to the left and wears a long draped dress. With her left hand she holds a frond, with her right hand a theatrical mask. The figure, probably identifiable with Thalia or Melpomene, contemplates the mask and rests a foot on a globe. Use of globular elements. Slight wear mask. U.K. private collection, London.