Find Spot record MDO19204 - Roman Gem found in the Back Garden of Wollaston House, Dorchester

A Roman intaglio from a finger ring was found in the back garden of Wollaston House, Dorchester.It represents Diomedes climbing over the altar of Apollo at Troy, holding the palladium in his left hand and a short sword in his right.

A Roman intaglio from a finger ring was found in the back garden of Wollaston House, Dorchester. It was aquired by the County Museum in 1928, although the exact date of its discovery is not recorded (1). It represents Diomedes climbing over the altar of Apollo at Troy, holding the palladium in his left hand and a short sword in his right. His left leg is bent but his right is extended so that he appears to be sitting. The hero is naked apart from his chlamys (draped over his left arm) which floats out beyond his legs. The gem is in orange cornelian, oval and convex. The upper surface is pitted but the intaglio is in good condition. Dimensions 13mm x 10.5mm, 3mm thick. The gem might date from the 1st century AD, although it could also be a product of the classicising age of Hadrian.

<1> Acland, J E, 1928, List of Acquisitions to the Dorset County Museum, for the Year 1928; Proceedings of the Dorset Archaeological and Natural History Society, 88 (Article in serial). SDO10114.

<2> Henig, M, 1971, Roman Gems In Dorset. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society., 186, no.2 (Article in serial). SDO10102.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2024 7:37PM