Lapis lazuli intaglio: Harpocrates in a papyrus boat

Art Historical Context

This exquisite lapis lazuli intaglio, in the 2nd century CE Rome's Imperial period, depictsocrates, the youthful Greco-Egyptian god of and secrecy, seated in a delicate papyrus boat. Measuring just 1/2 x 11/16 x 1/8 inches, this tiny gem from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Greek and Roman collection captures a serene Nile-inspired scene, complete with birds and boats as suggested by its motifs. Lapis lazuli, a rare deep-blue stone prized since ancient times for its celestial hue, was imported from distant Afghanistan, underscoring the vast trade networks of the Roman Empire. Intaglios like ...