Hellenistic
A Hellenistic carnelian intaglio of Omphale, set in an antique gold ring, circa 1st century BC
Carnelian and gold
Length of intaglio: 2.1 cm; ring size UK: P
The elongated oval intaglio depicting Omphale wearing a lion skin and holding the club of her husband Herakles. Condition Minor surface wear the intaglio and gold ring. Some initials appear...
The elongated oval intaglio depicting Omphale wearing a lion skin and holding the club of her husband Herakles.
Condition
Minor surface wear the intaglio and gold ring. Some initials appear to have been engraved on the back of the intaglio. The band is possibly a later addition. With hallmarks on the exterior.
Condition
Minor surface wear the intaglio and gold ring. Some initials appear to have been engraved on the back of the intaglio. The band is possibly a later addition. With hallmarks on the exterior.
Provenance
Private collection, UK, set in a 19th century gold ringLiterature
Omphale was the wife of Herakles who is shown wearing his lionskin and holding his club. There is a similar depiction on an amethyst gem, once in the Marlborough collection: J. Boardman, D. Scarisbrick, C. Wagner, E. Zwierlein-Diehl, The Marlborough Gems, 2009, no. 338. Also there is a Julio-Claudian period example in the Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory, acc. no. 2008.031.028.1
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