Roman Intaglio Depicting a Harvester. 2nd Century AD

Roman Intaglio Depicting a Harvester

Roman, 2nd century AD

Carved in red jasper, this Roman intaglio depicts a solitary harvester, dressed in a short tunic and gathering ears of grain. The composition captures a simple gesture of rural life, one deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of the ancient Mediterranean world.

Beyond its everyday subject, the scene evokes a world in which the cultivation of the land was inseparable from ideas of prosperity, fertility and the cyclical passage of time. The figure becomes a quiet reflection of humanity’s relationship with nature, its seasons and its enduring rhythms.

Nearly two millennia later, this small engraved stone preserves a fleeting moment of ancient life. Traces of calcareous deposits remain on its surface, bearing witness to its passage through time.

Material: Red jasper
Period: Roman, 2nd century AD
Dimensions: 14 × 15 × 2 mm
Provenance: French private collection, 1980s.

A Personal Creation

This intaglio is offered for sale as an individual engraved stone. It may also become the centrepiece of a bespoke jewel, conceived together with ÆON. Whether set in a ring, pendant or another personal creation, its setting can be imagined around the character of the stone, bringing an ancient fragment into a new chapter of its history.