Roman, 27 BCE.
Setting: silver gold-plated.
Diam. 22 cm. Inv. No. IXa 26.Vienna, Museum of Art HistoryPhoto by Giovanni Dagli Orti
Eagle Cameo.
Roman, 27 BCE.
Setting: silver gold-plated.
Diam. 22 cm.
Vienna, Museum of Art History
(Wien, Kunsthistorisches Museum).
The image is a reference to the honours the Senate bestowed on Octavian on 16 January 27 BC in gratitude for his rescuing the Romans from the chaos of civil war. These included the title of “Augustus” and an oak wreath, the corona civica (literally: citizen’s crown) placed above the door of his house. It is the eagle of Jupiter holding the symbols of victory and the rescue of Rome: Augustus enjoys the protection of the highest god, whom he represents on Earth.
The state cameos were originally in the possession of the imperial treasury in Rome and were probably taken to Byzantium in the 5th century AD. After sacking the city in 1204, the crusaders brought them back to the West. Shortly thereafter, our “Eagle Cameo” is believed to have been taken to the ambo of King Henry II in Aachen Cathedral. It was first documented in Vienna in 1750.
© Photo: Giovanni Dagli Orti.
© 2006. Text: A Brief Guide to the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Edited by Wilfried Seipel. Vol. 4. Masterpieces in the Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities. Kunsthistorisches Museum. SKIRA, 2006, p. 174, cat. 74.
