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  • 221 Very fine Etruscan scarab intaglio in carnelian. Herakles ...

Lot 221 - Auction 43

Very fine Etruscan scarab intaglio in carnelian. Herakles and the Ceryneian hind.
Price realized:
11.500,00 GBP
Bids:
26

Bids

Lot status:
Auction closed

Description



Very fine Etruscan scarab intaglio in carnelian. Herakles and the Ceryneian hind.

Very fine Etruscan scarab carnelian intaglio. Herakles captures the Ceryneian hind. This is the Third Labours of Herakles, desired by Eurystheus, astonished by his extraordinary value. In the Ceryneian land, there was a magnificent hind, with golden horns and bronze hooves, that usually escaped by everybody and, for this reason it was considered uncatchable. The animal had the sacral blood of Artemis and it could not be hurt. Herakles decided to catch it. After a long time, since it was not possible to catch the hind, the hero hurt it with a light wound, without bloodshed, but which made the animal slow down, and the hero succeeded to capturing it. This gorgeous intaglio is realised with high quality technical ability and it depicts the moment in which Herakles, armed with a club, succeeds to capture the hind by its horns. The iconography, the composition and the engraving style correspond to Etruscan glyptics, between late 6th and early 5th century B.C. The intaglio is also characterized by globular elements of different sizes. The specimen is intact and has only a light crack inside the stone; signs of wear. It is also characterized by good polishing and attractive gem color. References: Gisela M.A. Richter, Catalogue of the engraved gems. Greek-Etruscan-Roman, p. 42 n. 162-163. mm 13 x 16 x 10
5th century B.C.
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