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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Bronwen, post: 1010326, member: 5833&quot;]Judging by the number of small gorgoneion cameos, loose, or in Roman rings of various qualities, these must have been very popular for their apotropaic (turning away evil/misfortune) virtues.&nbsp; Also widespread were Cupid faces &amp; themes related to Bacchus.&nbsp; This is certainly a museum-worthy specimen: well carved originally; well preserved, without the damage or erosion of a ring stone worn steadily for years by a soldier.</p><p><br /></p><p>Engraved gems are one thing that have endured &amp; maintained - variable - value over time.&nbsp; Small, tough, couldn&#039;t be melted down, useless broken up.&nbsp; Originally they had value not just for the workmanship &amp; image depicted but also for the qualities attributed to the stone itself.&nbsp; (Amethyst got its name from the belief that it kept the wearer from getting drunk.)&nbsp; As Christianity took hold, some stones were recut to give Olympian gods religious or historical connections.&nbsp; Sometimes intaglios were reused in ornamenting objects used in worship, not for their imagery but for the color or value of the stone itself, &amp; set with the engraved side hidden.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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