Fire Altar Intaglio

A Zoroastrian fire altar is carved into this chalcedony intaglio, consisting of a pedestal, pillar, and bowl for an eternal flame. A bird perches above the altar bowl and fish flank the pedestal. A carved star decorates the backside. A pierced hole through the gemstone suggests it once hung on a cord around a neck or wrist. Although the fire altar is a Zoroastrian religious symbol, birds and fish also occur in Christian iconography.