Bidspirit auction | A FINE GREEK-PERSIAN BANDED AGATE

A FINE GREEK-PERSIAN BANDED AGATE SCARAB GEM ENGRAVED WITH A WALKING CAMEL, POSSIBLY CIRCA 5TH–4TH CENTURY BC. - A finely carved Greek-Persian banded agate scarab gem, possibly dating to the Achaemenid period, circa 5th–4th century BC, engraved in intaglio with a walking camel shown in profile. The animal is rendered with elongated legs and a naturalistic stance, reflecting the artistic exchange between the Greek world and the Achaemenid Persian Empire, where camels were important symbols of trade, transport, and wealth. The gem is carved from an attractive black and grey banded agate, its striking natural layers providing a dramatic backdrop to the finely engraved design. The reverse retains the smoothly domed scarab form and is pierced longitudinally for suspension or mounting as a seal.