Gemma Claudia

The Gemma Claudia is a very finely carved and detailed, five-layered, cameo in sardonyx, a type of onyx that has parallel layers of sard (shades of red) which depicts members of the Roman imperial Julio-Claudian dynasty.

It is believed to have been created in around 49 AD and by the 17th century was owned by the Habsburg Holy Roman Emperors,[1] later passing to the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna (AS Inv.

Both Claudius and Germanicus wear the corona civica, or civic crown, the prestigious military decoration in ancient Rome, awarded for acts of extraordinary bravery in saving the lives of fellow citizens during battle.

Its date of c. 49 AD places it soon after Claudius married Agrippina in January 49, and makes it possible that it was an official marriage gift to the imperial couple.

The unknown artist carved the work from the five alternately dark and light layers of the stone with great virtuosity.