Roman (Carnelian) Gem engraved with Venus and Anchises (25 BC), set in a modern gold and enamel setting, from Rome - Italy 🇮🇹 Superbly engraved, the gem depicts a woman, mostly naked, with her hair tied in a sakkos, sitting on a pile of stones, beckoning to a naked young man standing before her. She has a drape over one shoulder and carries a pedum (a hunter's throwing stick) visible near her shoulder. The identity of the couple has been the subject of investigations since the first publication of the gem in the 18th Century, but they are probably the goddess Venus and her lover, the Trojan Anchises. The fruit of their union was Aeneas, the father of the Roman people. Anchises' fame in Greek mythology is linked to the fact that he was a mortal lover of the goddess Aphrodite. One version says that Aphrodite pretended to be a Phrygian princess and she seduced him for nearly two weeks of sex. Anchises learned that his lover was a goddess only nine months later, when she revealed herself and presented him with the infant Aeneas. (4.9cm) J.P. Getty Museum, Los Angeles 🇺🇸 #archaeohistories

The "Trésor de la Mer" perfume bottle, designed by René Lalique in 1936, is a stunning example of his innovative approach to glass art. It was created as a limited edition for Saks Fifth Avenue, a detail that adds to its exclusivity and historical significance. The bottle is a two-part container shaped like an oyster shell, designed to hold a small, pearl-shaped perfume bottle inside. The opalescent glass gives it a milky, iridescent quality, perfectly evoking the soft glow of a pearl and the shimmering surface of a mollusk. This piece is a masterful representation of Lalique's lifelong fascination with nature. He was a pioneer in using pressed and molded glass to create intricate designs, and this bottle’s detailed relief work showcases his ability to transform a functional object into a sculptural work of art. The "Treasure of the Sea" theme is carried out flawlessly, with the delicate shell exterior promising a hidden gem within. The design is a perfect marriage of form and function, characteristic of the Art Deco period, while also possessing a timeless quality that makes it a highly sought-after collector's item today. Due to its limited production run, the "Trésor de la Mer" bottle is one of the most rare and valuable pieces in Lalique's extensive body of work. A complete set, including the box and the original perfume bottle, has fetched record-breaking prices at auction. Its value is not just in its rarity but in its artistry, serving as a testament to René Lalique's genius as a master jeweler, glassmaker, and designer who forever changed the world of commercial product design. In November 2006 an example in original condition with original tags sold for $216,000 all-in at Rago Arts in Lambertville NJ. #archaeohistories