This exquisite intaglio in sardonyx depicts the roman god mercury. He is portrayed standing upright and in profile. He leans on one leg in a posture, which indicates repose. He appears to gaze at an attribute, which he holds in an upraised hand, while he holds another attribute in his other hand. He is depicted as a youth who is naked with the exception of his distinctive helmet headdress and the long cape, which flows behind him. Mercury was believed to be the messenger of the gods as well as the god who conveyed souls to the underworld realm of Pluto. In roman mythology he was also portrayed as a trickster god whose antics were aimed both at gods and mortals.