Dolphin Intaglio

Object/Artifact

-

Trimontium Museum

Name/Title

Dolphin Intaglio

Entry/Object ID

X.2008.42

Description

Sardonyx intaglio showing a dolphin, 80 - 180 AD

Context

The Romans had many myths including dolphins, often seen as helpers of humans. They were associated with Neptune, Venus and other sea deities.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Pliny the Elder tells stories of friendships between dolphins and humans, and he believed dolphins loved music.

Category

Intaglio, Intaglios
Jewellery, Carving

Made/Created

Time Period

1st - 2nd century

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Location

Trimontium Roman Fort Site, Newstead

Country

Scotland

* Untyped Cultural Region

United Kingdom

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Intaglio

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Sculpture

Nomenclature Class

Art

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

Getty AAT

Concept

intaglios (sculptural objects)

Other Names

Name Type

NMS Old Loan Number

Other Name

Q.L.1980.15

Dimensions

Width

6.5 mm

Length

8.5 mm

Material

agate, sardonyx

Color

Blue, Gray, Yellow

Provenance

Notes

From surface collections