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Cameo with Leda and the swan
Greek or Roman or modern?
Hellenistic Period or modern?
1st century B.C. (?) or 18th century
Medium/Technique
Banded agate
Dimensions
Length: 3.2 cm (1 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number27.749
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Jewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Cameos
Catalogue Raisonné
Lewes House Gems, no. 129 (1920; 2002).
DescriptionOval agate cameo in three layers: opaque white over translucent ecru over transparent cream. Nude female, Leda, in profile to left with one knee on an altar, holding the Swan between her legs. The bird’s neck wraps around her head and his head rests on her shoulder. Ground line.
ProvenanceAccordiing to J. D. Beazley, The Lewes House Collection of Ancient Gems, no. 129: formerly in the Montigny Collection (Collection de M. de Montigny, vente a l'hôtel Drouot, 23-25 mai 1887, pl. 5, no. 650); bought by Edward Perry Warren from W. T. Ready in 1897; April 5, 1926: loaned to MFA by Edward Perry Warren (as 70.26); November 17, 1927: purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren for $ 161,000.00 (this figure is the total price for MFA 27.647-27.761)