Lotto 30 | AN EASTERN GREEK LATE ARCHAIC-EARLY CLASSICAL CHALCEDONY SCULPTED AND ENGRAVED SCARABOID SEAL. HEAD OF A GORGONE / GORGONE HOLDING TWO LIONS.

Bertolami Fine Art - Piazza Lovatelli 1, 00186 Roma

AN EASTERN GREEK LATE ARCHAIC-EARLY CLASSICAL CHALCEDONY SCULPTED AND ENGRAVED SCARABOID SEAL. HEAD OF A GORGONE / GORGONE HOLDING TWO LIONS.

AN EASTERN GREEK LATE ARCHAIC-EARLY CLASSICAL CHALCEDONY SCULPTED AND ENGRAVED SCARABOID SEAL. HEAD OF A GORGONE / GORGONE HOLDING TWO LIONS.

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

20x23x7,5 mm

Of scaraboid shape, pierced lenghtwise. The backside carved in relief with a Medusa mask, with archaic features. The reverse is engraved with a standing Gorgone going left with large wings. Face and upper body are represented in a frontal view meanwhile the legs are in profile.In her hands, she holds lions. She wears a long chiton, with a belt made of a two snakes. On both sides, the Gorgone shows her typical apotropaic features; eyes wide, tongue sticking out, with her hair full of snakes. Groundline. Use of globular elements for anatomical details. Cable border. Small chips and wear marks on the stone. Rare.

For a similar typology and iconography see: Antique Intaglios in the Hermitage Collection, n°16; BOARDMAN, J., Greek Gems and Fingers rings, n°378 and 406-407

Provenance: U.K. private collection acquired on the british art market.