Sardonyx cameo fragment with Jupiter astride an eagle

Unknown

1st century BCE–1st century CE · Sardonyx · Greek and Roman Art

Despite its fragmentary condition this cameo still displays the fine quality of its workmanship. The eagle's feathers and Jupiter's torso and bearded face are carved in exquisite detail against an almost transparent background. The imagery of the Father of the Gods flying through the heavens astride an eagle was adapted for use in Roman official art to depict scenes of apotheosis. This was the procedure by which emperors were deified; their ascent up to heaven was marked at the state funeral by the release of an eagle that symbolically carried the spirit of the deceased emperor up to the heavens.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1st century BCE–1st century CE

Medium

Sardonyx

Culture

Greek or Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of Milton Weil, 1932