Clepsydra used at the Races in the Circus Maximus

“At the recent dispersion of the valuable collection of works of ancient art formed by the late Mr. J. W. Brett, I became possessed of a very curious, possibly unique, intaglio, the subject engraved upon the gem being the ancient Clepsydra.

“Although the nature and general fashion or construction of the instrument originally employed by the Greeks, and subsequently used in Rome, for measuring time by the escape of water, may be understood from passages in the works of Aristotle, and other writers of antiquity, representations of the Clepsydra are of very rare occurrence.

“The remarkable antique gem … is an intaglio on a ‘banded agate’ (a sardonyx cut transversely) representing two Cupids turned back to back, and supporting in their uplifted arms a huge oviform vase with a contracted mouth, whence issues a stream of water. On the belly of the vase appears a horse at full speed, and a large star (the sun). These adjuncts precisely indicate the subject of the design, the Clepsydra of the Circus Maximus, where the great races were held on December25, the Natale Solis….”

From “Notice of an Intaglio representing the Clepsydra used at Races in the Circus Maximus” (pp 138-142) by C. W. King, M.A. “ The Archaeological Journal”  Volume 21 (1864) where the entire paper can be read and downloaded.

King has about twenty other papers about ENGRAVED GEMS published in “The Archaeological Journal”.  They can be accessed by searching  for papers by C. W. King at https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/archjournal/volumes.cfm  Use the “Query” button in the sideboard to the left. and search for King’s name.  All of the papers can be downloaded in a .pdf format.