Two-tone chalcedony cameo depicting Caracalla, 17th century

This oval cameo, carved from two-tone chalcedony, dates from the 17th century. The piece depicts the bust of Emperor Caracalla, carved in a chestnut hue against a mauve background. The emperor is crowned with a radiate crown and draped in the paludamentum, the purple cloak worn by commanders-in-chief. The radiate crown consists of a knotted headband, inherited from the Hellenistic dynasties, and solar rays evoking his identification with Sol Invictus. This iconography was used to depict Emperor Caracalla between 215 and 217. The object measures 4.5 cm in height, 3.5 cm in width and 0.6 cm in depth. The piece is in very good condition. This cameo comes from the collection of Baron Eugène Henri Léonard Beyens (1816–1894).