Greek, A Greek rock crystal intaglio of a woman, Hellenistic, circa late 3rd - 2nd century BC

Greek

A Greek rock crystal intaglio of a woman, Hellenistic, circa late 3rd - 2nd century BC

Rock crystal

Length: 2.9 cm

The large convex cabochon rock crystal gem depicting a standing draped woman leaning on a pillar with her left elbow and holding a stylus or sceptre in her right hand.

Provenance

Private collection, UK, acquired in the 1980s and 1990s, thence by descent

Literature

The long oval shape for a ringstone was a particular favourite of the Hellenistic period. The most successful way to fill the field was with a standing figure, often leaning on a column or tree-trunk and, through various attributes, characterised as a heroic or divine. Deities are by far the most numerous choice, among them Aphrodite, Athena, Apollo, and Dionysos being especially popular. For similar examples, see D. Plantzos, Hellenistic Engraved Gems, 1999, pl. 45, cf. nos. 309-20. For a similar glass example in the British Museum, see acc. no. 1814,0704.2357.

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