gems, history of gemology, glyptic, engraved gems, chalcedony, quartz, jasper

By publishing in the latest volume of these Miscellanee the decorative elements of the funerary monument of Rubiera (Reggio Emilia), Jacopo Ortalli allows us to answer a question that has remained unresolved since the 19th century: the identification of the chalcedony medallions, depicting a youthful, chubby face, with dona militaria. The hypothesis—often proposed but lacking definitive proof—is now confirmed thanks to the Rubiera relief; this also provides a valuable chronological reference for these generally poorly dated objects (fig. 1).