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Gemma Augustea, an extensive cameo created at the beginning of the 1st century AD.

While the exact interpretation of the figures varies, the seated man in the upper half is most certainly Augustus. The man exiting a chariot on the left is most likely Tiberius, his chosen successor, and the officer in the cuirass might be Germanicus.

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Engraved Carnelian gem, Thetford treasure

Romano-British.

A rectangular gem with slightly curved sides, engraved with Venus and Cupid. The stone is a slightly translucent orange-red cornelian (chalcedony). The engraved decoration is of Venus, naked apart from some drapery over her arm, seen in three-quarter back view. A large circular shield rests on the ground beside her, and she holds a sword and two spears. In front of her is Cupid, holding up a small helmet.

This engraved gem formed part of a remarkable hoard of late-Roman gold jewellery and silver tableware that was found near Thetford, Norfolk, in 1979.

Like the other engraved gems in the hoard, this fine large cornelian must have been removed from an older piece of jewellery. It was originally an elongated oval shape, and has been trimmed down to a rectangular form for re-setting. It depicts Venus with Cupid, both signifying love, and the armour of Mars, the Roman god of war, a standard scene in Roman iconography.

British Museum