ASTA 107 - Glittica

A fine etruscan banded agate scarab intaglio set in a swivel gold ring. Hermes Psychopomp.

4th century B.C.

Hermes psychopomp moves to the left, but with the frontal torso and the head turned in profile backwards. The young god is naked and wears just the petasos resting on his shoulder and holds the kerikeion in his right hand; in his left hand he holds an idol depicting Hercules with a club (perhaps an allegory of souls towards the afterlife). Dotted frame. Groundline. This extraordinary representation is engraved on a scarab carved on an orange agate with equally extraordinary white stripes. On the back, in correspondence with the body of the insect, the two symmetrical white veins form an elegant V, perfectly centered. Signs of wear. Parallels: P. Zazoff, Etruskische skarabaen, 1968, n. 109. Cades, Gemme etrusche, 1b II 66. Furtwangler, AG. Taf. 16,54. AGDS, Band II, Staatliche Museen Preubischer Kulturbesitz Antikenabteilung, Berlin, taf. 50 n. 232. Cfr. Silver stater of Pheneus, Arcadia, 360-330 B.C.

scarab 15x22x8 mm; int diam 19x22mm; 14,56 gr.

Provenance: this scarab was mounted on a Castellani bracelet, in which the engraved part was covered and partially hidden by the frame. It is then reassembled as an old swivel ring. Uk private collection.

An etruscan carnelian engraved scarab set in a gold swivel ring. Europa with Zeus as bull.

Late 5th-early 4th century B.C.

With large rounded hoop tapered at the endings, the shoulders adorned with filigree and twisted wires imitating a floral design. Revolving large carnelian scarab with well engraved details; hatched pattern on the lower part of the thorax. The underside engraved with a scene showing the rapt of Europa by Zeus as a bull. The powerful massive bull is running left with Europa on his back. The musculature and the anatomical details are well rendered meanwhile Europa representation is more stylized with globular elements. Cable border. The subject has been attested in various greek scarabs from the archaic and the Classical period. This one can be identify as an etruscan work inspired by the greek models.
Parallel: for a greek exemplar see in Beazley Archive, Oxford 1966.598., AGGems n° 305; for a similar iconography and style see Beazley Archive 2.I.A.115, Cades, T., Impronte Dell’instituto. J. Boardman, Archaic Greek Gems, n. 521-524. AGDS Berlin n. 211. AGKM (kunst, Wien) n. 39. G. M.A. Richter, Engraved gems of the greeks and etruscans. A history of greek art in miniature, n. 204.


Int diam 18x21 mm; scarab 14x18x9 mm; 10,49 gr.

Provenance: european private collection. The lot was purchased in the english art market, 1990s.

An etruscan banded agate scarab engraved seal set in a gold swivel ring. Warrior (probably Achilles).

4th century B.C.

The hoop is composed of two thick plain wires spiral twisted together with a beaded wire, the ensemble tapering toward the circular loops at each end, where a wire is threaded through the perforation of the beetle. The slender beetle is well detailed with hatching on the lower edge of the thorax and upon the plinth. The underside is engraved with an helmeted warrior, holding shield and touching has heel pierced by an arrow (probably Achilles). Use of globular elements. Cable border. Slight wear marks.

Parallel: 4th century B.C., Villa Giulia museum, n°270, Cristofano, Martelli, oro degli etruschi,

Int diam 20 mm; seal 9 x 12 x 8 mm; 5,72 gr.

Provenance: U.K. private collection 1985. Formerly in Arthur Sambon (1867-1947) collection.

An etruscan carnelian scarab set in a gold swivel ring. Centaur.

4th century B.C.

With plain rounded hoop bordered at the endings with twisted wire. Disks in the center fixed to the scarab by a transpiercing gold pin endings with twisted wire. The carnelian scarab is well detailed with hatching on the lower edge of the thorax and upon the plinth. The underside is engraved with a Centaur turned left. Use of globular elements for the head and the body. Cable border. Wear marks.  

Int diam 21 mm; seal 9 x 13 x 6 mm; 6,09 gr.

Provenance: U.K. private collection 1985. Formerly in Arthur Sambon (1867-1947) collection.

An etruscan banded agate engraved scarab set in a gold swivel ring. Sea-horse.

Late 4th century B.C.

With plain rounded hoop ending with twisted wire on the shoulders. Revolving banded agate scarab with engraved design. The underside engraved with a sea horse turned left. Groundline. Dotted frame. Wear marks.

Int diam 18 mm; seal 6 x 9 x 5 mm; 2,60 gr.

Provenance: U.K. private collection 1985. Formerly in Arthur Sambon (1867-1947) collection.

An etruscan carnelian scarab intaglio set in a gold swivel ring. Bull.

3rd century B.C.

The animal is facing right, with its head turned back to the left. Use of globular elements (engraved with a drill). The gem is mounted in a gold swivel ring.

Stone 8 x 10 mm; ring size 15 x 19,5 mm circa; 3,04 gr.

Provenance: UK private collection.

A small etruscan carnelian scarab mounted in a gold ring. Antelope. 

3rd century B.C.

The quadruped is running to the right. Use of globular elements. Wear marks. The scarab is mounted in a swivel ring with braided wire. Dark deposits.

int diam 13 mm; scarab 5x6x4 mm; 1,11 gr.

Provenance: UK private collection.

A rare small Phoenician carnelian scarab set in a gold swivel ring. Lion head.

6th century B.C, circa 500 B.C.

Rounded hoop ending with twisted wire on the shoulders. Revolving carnelian scarab with engraved design. The back with naturalistic details. The underside engraved with a lion forepart turned right. His mane with hatched pattern. Cable border. The style and the iconography is typicall from the greek-phoenician orientalizing period.
Parallels: for similar sacarab with same design see Beazley archive Ashkelon. CSAPI no. 60. BL. III, Ibiza no. 139 (Barcelona 9388). BH. I, Paris, BN, Pauvert no. 50, from Etruria. Cornelian. Beaded border. Forepart., from Tharros. BH;PB. Faced by profile head of satyr. I, AG pl. 15.90. BH. As the last. III, Anecd pl. 26.B29. BH. V.
A.G. : Fürtwangler, A., Die antiken Gemmen, 1900; Anecd : Acquaro, E., Anecdote Tharrica, 1975

Int diam 20 mm; seal 7 x 9 x 5 mm; 2,79 gr.

Provenance: U.K. private collection 1985. Formerly in Arthur Sambon (1867-1947) collection.

A large etruscan carnelian engraved scarab mounted in a late 19th century gold seal. Winged scarab.

Early 5th century B.C.

The back well-detailed , the underside with engraved design: winged scarab. In frontal view with wide-spread wings with well-engraved details. Hatched border. Pierced lengthwise and mounted with a 19th gold seal composed of intertwined gold wires. Inspired from the archaic greek workshops. Parallel: Boardman, J., Archaic Greek Gems, 1968, n°148; J. Boardman, GGFR, n. 320 (Late Archaic). AGKM (Kunst, Wien) n. 9.

Scarab 15x23x12 mm ; total H 29 mm; 5,65 gr.

Provenance: the lot was purchased in the english art market 1990s.

An etruscan chalcedony intaglio. Hercules.

Late 4th - early 3rd century B.C.

Judging by the look of the back of the stone, it must have been an ancient scarab, then cut and flattened (probably due to an accident or a defect in the stone). The underside then use for the engraved design: Hercules with his club, collecting water from a fountain in an amphora. The hero is standing naked and turned left toward a source from which a fine jet of water flows into his amphora. In his right hand, the club. On either side of his shoulders, globes. Hatched border. Despite the reuse of the stone, the execution of the engraving figure shows great details and skills. The rendering volumes of the body as well as for the club and amphora, and the details of the face show the high quality of the intaglio. Use of globular elements. Parallels: J. Boardman, Intaglios and rings. Greek, Etruscan and Eastern from a private collection, n. 139-140, 150; P. Zazoff, ES, n. 66-67.

12x16x3 mm

An etruscan carnelian engraved scarab. Lion forepart.

Late 6th - early 5th century B.C.

The back with hatched pattern on the thorax and the legs, and v-shaped relief on the wings. The edge with vault frieze. The underside with engraved subject: a lion forepart turned right with an aggressive expression; the puckered muzzle, with the open mouth revealing its canines. The mane marked by incised lines. In the foreground, his right front paw. Use of globular elements for the jaw. Hatched border. Pierced lengthwise. Very nice polishing of the engraving and Wear marks on the surface of the stone. Traces of deposit. Rare. Inspired by greek coinage.
Parallel: for the subject see AGDS, Munchen, n. 138 (Greek Archaic).

Scarab 12x17x9 mm

Provenance: UK art market.

A greek Hellenistic gold ring set with a glass intaglio. Female portrait.

2nd - 1st century B.C.

With hollowed rounded hoop, flatten within and extending in broader shoulders sloping inwards, to an oval box-setting with two bands of gold rising one above the other. Inset with a blue pale glass intaglio. Showing a head of a woman turned left. Her hair with long wavy locks tided back in a bun. Presence of globular elements for the earring, tin of the nose and chin. Missings and traces of deposits on the box-setting and the shoulders. Slight accident on the hoop. Nice conservation of the glass impression.
Parrallel: Marshall, F.H., 1968, n°385-386

int diam 18 mm; 12x13 mm; 4,38 gr.

Provenance: London, art market.

A graeco-roman bronze ring. Ptolemaic bust.

3rd century B.C.

The hoop is flat within and rounded without. Large circular bezel with design in relief: portrait of an ptolemaic queen (?), turned left, with long looks and a band.

Parallel: Marshall, F.H., Catalogue of the Finger rings, British Museum, 1968, Pl.XXXI, 1280,129

Bezel 16 x 21 mm; ring size 15 x 18 mm; 8,34 gr.

Provenance: London, art market.

A greek late hellenistic amethyst intaglio. Panoplia.

3rd - 2nd century B.C.

In the center, a Macedonian-type helmet, behind, two crossed double axes. On the sides, two greaves. In the field, three greek letters (Gamma, Beta, Theta). Rare composition, very detailed, well balanced and engraved with great technical mastery, inspired by coinage. Presence of globular elements. Macedonian military emblema. Intense color. Gem with convex surface and flat back. The helmet is very similar to that depicted in a garnet (Munich, Antike Munzsammlung). Parallels: AGDS n. 234; AGDS Munchen, n. 384. For a very close type see D. Plantzos, Hellenistic engraved gems, n. 650.

14x23x6 mm

Provenance: UK art market.

A greek hellenistic gold ring set with an amethyst intaglio. Maltese dog.

4th - 3rd century B.C.

The animal is facing left. The well-executed details of its anatomy indicate that it is a Maltese dog. The uncommon subject is represented on certain scaraboid gems of Graeco-Persian production from the end of the classical age. In this case, the choice of a small amethyst cabochon places the gem in the Hellenistic era. This ring was intended for a child as revealed by the small size of the gold frame. Slight signs of wear. Rare.

int diam 13 mm; intaglio 4x6 mm; 2,35 gr.

An hellenistic garnet intaglio set in a gold ring. Apollo.

2nd century B.C.

The divinity is depicted frontally, with the head turned slightly right and the body to the left, in a slight twist. Typical Hellenistic pose. With his hands he holds the lyra. Groundline. The gem is cabochon and concave on the back. Attractive stone color. The modern gold mounting is made of a plain rounded hoop, flatten within with outbroad shoulders extending into an oval box-setting containing the intaglio.

Parallels: AGDS Munchen, n. 559-566, 572; G.M.A. Richter, Catalogue of engraved gems, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, n. 157 - 159.

Int diam 20 mm; stone 8x14 mm; 7,37 gr.

Provenance: UK private collection.

A large italic banded agate intaglio. Cornucopia.

2nd century B.C.

A cornucopia with stems and bunch of grape. On its left, a globe. Use of globular elements. Wear marks. Interesting choice of stone.

16x17x3 mm

Provenance: UK private collection.

A rare greek hellenistic garnet cabochon intaglio. Pomegrenate.

4th - 3rd century B.C.

A slightly open pomegranate with a natural central “laceration”, with its internal seeds visible. Rare and unusual representation of a fruit breaking and opening. The subject, present in the Greek coinage but whole without openings with visible seeds, is engraved in a beautiful high convex cabochon garnet, with a concave back. The combination of the subject with the material was masterfully chosen to allude its natural color. Mirror polishing. Extremely detailed and deeply carved intaglio. Slight internal crack (non-passing and not dangerous; the gem is solid). Wear marks. Parallel: See greek coinage: for the subject of the pomegrenate cfr. Side. Circa 430-400 BC. Stater, Pomegranate with its stem above and flower below.  SNG France 627. SNG von Aulock 4765; Pamphylia, Side AR Stater. Circa 490-450 BC. Pomegranate, ΣIΔH (retrograde) to left; all within beaded circular border; Melos - ΜΑΛΟΣ - date: ca. 450-440 BC -  silver stater  - description obverse: pomegranate.

15x17x9 mm

Provenance: UK private collection, acquired in the London art market 1980s.

A fine greek late classical banded agate intaglio set in a gold pendant. Diana Lucifera.

4th century B.C.

The divinity is standing, facing left. With both hands she holds two long burning torches. The figure is draped with a long tunic characterized by very fine drapery folds and engraved with extreme refinement. The right foot is resting on the ground, while the left is slightly raised. Groundline. The body is slightly three-quarters, while the head is in profile. The hair is elegantly gathered; the delicate profile with idealized features. Diana wears a bow and quiver on her shoulders, while the torches identify her as a “lucifera” with reference also to the figure of Hecate and to the magical world (Inferos). The gem has the traces of two ancient micro holes on the edge  probably for a rotating mounting. The banded agate is characterized at the top by a lighter and more transparent part (possibly referable to the light of the torches and the earthly brightness), while going down to the stone it has a darker area (symbolizing the night and the underworld). Mirror polishing. Wonderful style and execution. Signs of wear and small chips on the edge. The gem is set in a 22ct gold pendant, likely from the late 19th century/ early 20th, with a swivel suspension hoop.

Parallels: J. Boardman, Intaglios and rings. Greek, Etruscan and Eastern from a private collection, n. 39. J. Boardman, GGFR, n. 533 and 735 for a very close specimen (from the London Market, 1934. A fine greek classical gold ring. Kore, with two torches, Sotheby, 18. VII. 1934 n.116). On a coin of Kyzikos, Nomisma VII, pl. 6.12. See greco-roman coinage with the same figure (Artemis Phosphoros). 53435. Cfr. Statue einer Frau als Diana Lucifera ergänzt mit nicht zugehörigem Kopf: Musei Vaticani, Galleria Chiaramonti in Amelung, Vat.Kat. I 677 Nr. 548 Taf. 72; B. Andreae (Hrsg.), Museo Chiaramonti. Bildkatalog der Skulpturen des Vatikanischen Museums I 2 (1995) Taf. 764 (Arachne database - Koeln). See roman coinage: Faustina II bronze As RIC 1629 ; Aureus of Julia Domna Coh. 31 RIC 548 Calico 2610, reverse: DIANA LVCIFERA.

Stone 18x24x4 mm; overall 25x33 mm; 7,07 gr.

Provenance: UK private collection, acquired in the London art market 1980s; previously from the F. M-G collection 70's.

A large greek hellenistic red jasper intaglio. Bust of Athena.

3rd century B.C.

The deity is facing left. The head is helmeted while the bust is covered by the gorgoneion, with the mask of Medusa in the center, due to its apotropaic power and invincibility; small snakes rise from the mythical breastplate. The shoulder is naked. The hair falls elegantly on the neck, engraved with very thin and refined lines. Other details of the helmet (crest) and of the anatomy (eyes, browline) are also engraved with very fine lines. The work, of great artistic importance, is engraved on an extraordinarily large red jasper. The black line that runs horizontally through the stone is not a crack but a black inclusion (vein), typical of the jasper. The back of the gem shows engraved unfinished marks with the dry diamond point of an ornamental motif (vegetable or floral). This unfinished but just begun processing trace is an equally extraordinary testimony of to the greek engraving technique during the Hellenistic Era. Slight signs of wear and small chips on the edge.

Parallel: for the subject in AGDS, tafel 189 n. 2182. For a close type, but engraved later (1st B.C. - 1st A.D.) see AGKM (Kunst, Wien) n. 1069.

25x31x6 mm

Provenance: english private collection, ex London art market 1970 circa; from the R.T. collection, London.

A fine roman carnelian intaglio. Perseus with Medusa head.

1st century B.C.

The hero is standing, with his body slightly out of three quarters, in a slight torsion, his head facing left. The body is naked. With his right hand he holds a sword, with his left the severed head of medusa; with his forearms he holds a cloak, which hangs elegantly behind. The anatomical details are engraved with technical skill. Use of globular elements. Late Italic period - early Republican. Very fine style. Attractive stone color. Wear marks. Parallel: C. Gasparri, Le Gemme Farnese, p. 122 n. 183.

15 x 21 x 0,4 mm.

Provenance: UK private collection.

A fine hellenistic carnelian intaglio set in a gold frame. Satyr near a column.

3rd century B.C.

The figure is standing, with the left leg supporting and the right leg slightly bent in a typically greek pose. With his left hand he holds two flutes, which he touches with his right hand. The figure has elongated proportions, typically hellenistic, represented by three quarters back view. A column. Groundline. Use of globular elements. Large intaglio, engraved with great elegance and artistic mastery. The gem is cabochon still mounted in its antique gold. Parallel: G.M.A. Richter, The engraved gems of the greeks and the etruscans, part one, p.137 n. 523.

18 x 23 x 7 mm; 4,55 gr.

Provenance: UK private collection D.C.

A late hellenistic banded agate intaglio set in an ancient gold ring. Venus Anadyomene

3rd century B.C.

The divinity is standing, seen from the front, in her typical pose in the act of keeping her hair divided into two long braids. The subject is inspired by Greek statuary models from the hellenistic period. Attractive stone color. The gem is set in an elegant antique hollow gold ring. Brocken hoop. 

Stone 9 x 18 mm; ring size 16 x 17 mm; 3,26 gr.

Provenance: Zurigo, Max Kopp coll. Born 1891.

A late hellenistic gold ring set with a banded agate intaglio. Bust of Herm.

2nd century B.C.

Plain hollowed hoop, expanding into oval bezel with oval banded agate intaglio: bust of an herm, turned right. The face is characterized by mature features, a beard, an straight short rose and full lips. Presence of globular elements.
Slight missing on the edge of the box-setting.

Stone 8 x 11 mm; ring size 12 x 14 mm; 2,64 gr.