Roman gem

This gem shows a naked dancing satyr whose head is thrown back. He has a lion skin hanging from his left arm and a drinking cup in his left hand, while his right hand holds a thyrsus decorated with a ribbon. This very popular motif in Roman decorative arts, particularly for gems, derives from a Greek prototype.
Although the Calouste Gulbenkian collection of gems and cameos is small in size, it includes excellent quality pieces.