Bertolami Fine Art - Piazza Lovatelli 1, 00186 Roma
ASTA 267 - GLITTICA ASTA 267 - GLITTICA
Friday 7 July 2023 hours 12:30 (UTC +00:00)
A LARGE GREEK PTOLEMAIC HELLENISTIC AMETHYST INTAGLIO. CORNUCOPIA.
A LARGE GREEK PTOLEMAIC HELLENISTIC AMETHYST INTAGLIO. CORNUCOPIA.
3rd - 2nd century B.C.
14 x 19 x 4 mm
Beautiful cornucopia full of details and decorations, typical of the Ptolemaic Greek taste. The cornucopia is radiate and is wrapped in a ribbon that hovers in the air. The tip is particularly elaborate expressing opulence. The subject is engraved on an extraordinary large elongated cabochon amethyst, characterized by a splendid brightness and vivid color. Slight wear marks.
For a close parallel, see the Greek ptolemaic kingdom coinage: Ptolemy III Euergetes. Gold Mnaieion, 246-222 B.C., Alexandria, under Ptolemy IV. Bust of the deified Ptolemy III wearing diadem and aegis; reverse: radiate and filleted cornucopia with greek inscription. Svoronos 1117. This particular type was struck by Ptolemy IV Philopator to commemorate his deified father, Ptolemy III Euergetes, as part of the gold donative paid to his troops during the fourth Syrian War (219-217 BC).
Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market, 1990s-2000s.