Roman Magic Intaglio Of Dionysos / Bacchus On Amethyst

Gold pendant decorated with a magical intaglio on amethyst: Dyonisos / Bacchus Very pale and included bi-convex amethyst. Traces of concretions and wear around the edge of the stone. Rome, 1st century BC Gold setting (modern) eagle head hallmark on the ring with maker's mark. Republican style engraving in bouterolle representing Dionysus/Bacchus with a thyrsus in the right hand and a kantare in the left. On his head an Egyptian crown (modius?). The depiction of Dionysus on magic gems is rare. This is a fine example of syncretism between Egyptian religion and Roman cults. The choice of stone is not due to chance, amethyst being supposed to protect against drunkenness, this gem associated with the image of Bacchus therefore certainly had a virtue in this direction for its former owner. The inscription on the back (WWW X / BAIN) is a priori unintelligible. The WWW triad is relatively common on this type of gems. The inscription can support the power of the gem against drunkenness or confer other powers. One or two letters in the field above his head Provenance: Doutrebente sale of March 30, 2022, n°167.