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Sardonyx cameo fragment with Jupiter astride an eagle

1st century BCE–1st century CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 166
Despite its fragmentary condition this cameo still displays the fine quality of its workmanship. The eagle's feathers and Jupiter's torso and bearded face are carved in exquisite detail against an almost transparent background. The imagery of the Father of the Gods flying through the heavens astride an eagle was adapted for use in Roman official art to depict scenes of apotheosis. This was the procedure by which emperors were deified; their ascent up to heaven was marked at the state funeral by the release of an eagle that symbolically carried the spirit of the deceased emperor up to the heavens.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Sardonyx cameo fragment with Jupiter astride an eagle
  • Period: Hellenistic or Early Imperial
  • Date: 1st century BCE–1st century CE
  • Culture: Greek or Roman
  • Medium: Sardonyx
  • Dimensions: H.: 1 3/8 x 1 3/16 in. (3.4 x 3 cm)
  • Classification: Gems
  • Credit Line: Gift of Milton Weil, 1932
  • Object Number: 32.142.2
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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