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Oval gem with comic actor
Greek or Roman
Late Hellenistic Period
1st century B.C.
Medium/Technique
Sard
Dimensions
Length: 14 mm (9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number27.738
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Gems
Catalogue Raisonné
Lewes House Gems, no. 108 (1920; 2002).
DescriptionSard. Oval intaglio with flat front set in modern ring. Comic actor in the costume of an old man (pornoboskos) in three-quarter view to right. He leans on a knotted stick and strokes the long beard of his mask. Partial groundline. Some scratches and abrasions at the top
ProvenanceBy 1912-1913: with Edward Perry Warren (according to J. D. Beazley, The Lewes House Collection of Ancient Gems, no. 108: Bought in Rome (?) 1912-13.); April 5, 1926: loaned to MFA by Edward Perry Warren (as 94.26); 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)