Etruscan, An antique archaeological revival gold necklace set with four ancient Etruscan carnelian scarabs, circa 4th - 3rd century BC (scarabs)

Etruscan

An antique archaeological revival gold necklace set with four ancient Etruscan carnelian scarabs, circa 4th - 3rd century BC (scarabs)

Gold and carnelian

Length: 49 cm (19.5 in)

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Further images

Each scarab carved on the underside with varying scenes in the al globulo style, including two with two horses, one with three horses, and one with a running warrior.

Provenance

Private collection, Europe, 19th century (from the setting)
Blankman Collection, New York, 1950s
with Joseph G. Gerena Fine Art, New York
Private collection, Bahamas, acquired from the above in 1997
Private collection, USA, acquired from the above in 1999

Literature

Etruscan scarabs such as these are gemstones, usually carnelian, with one rounded side carved in the shape of a scarab beetle on a kind of platform and the flat underside engraved with a mythological scene. A hole is usually drilled vertically through the gem, so that it could be pivoted on a wire as part of a ring or serve as a bead on a necklace. For the type see H.B. Walters, Catalogue of Engraved Gems & Cameos, Greek, Etruscan & Roman in the British Museum, BMP, London, 1926. Such gems were very popular in the late 18th to 19th century with Italian jewellers such as the Castellani family specialising in work in the 'archaeological' style. For a Castellani necklace with carnelian scarabs see British Museum acc. no. 1872,0604.649. For more see G.C. Munn, Castellani and Guiliano, London, 1984.

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