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

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

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

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.


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