Per una storia della glittica "di propaganda": alcune riflessioni. I. L'antico. Gemme inedite a Verona (original) (raw)

2019, Engramma. La tradizione classica nella memoria occidentale, 170

This contribution originates from some intaglios and glass gems, kept in the Museo Archeologico al Teatro Romano of Verona, belonging to the so called “propaganda” gems. This class of objects, created as seals and political distinction marks between the end of the Roman Republic and the Augustan age, is well known and studied; nevertheless the Verona gems offer some new insights. The article emphasises the links between gems and coins, as iconographies, workshops, technics, but also the differences (gems and their impressions were personal marks). Continuation of themes, co-existence of different engraving styles, episodes or re-use of old stones should be considered, as the high presence, in every historical collection, of lots of unfinished glass gems, presumably found in workshop depots. The selected intaglios in Verona Museum could explain some questions: among them, the use of the same iconography (on coins and gems) from more rulers; the Augustan attitude to incorporate the symbols of the losers, while their gems were hidden or broken; the surviving of Augustan symbols for a long time and their significance.