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Oval gem with warrior seated on a rock (Ajax?)
Greek or Roman
Hellenistic Period?
1st century B.C.
Medium/Technique
Carnelian
Dimensions
Length: 15 mm (9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number27.746
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Gems
DescriptionOrange carnelian. Intaglio with flat front, set in modern gold ring. Bearded man, possibly Ajax after the slaughter of the cattle, seated on rocky outcropping. He rests his head on his left hand, which also holds a short sword. In his right hand is a long object, probably a scabbard. Some drapery covers the rock and hangs over his right knee. His left foot seems propped on an object, maybe a shield. A bull’s head in field at right. Groundline. Scratched surface.
ProvenanceBy date unknown: with Edward Perry Warren; May 22, 1926: loaned to MFA by Edward Perry Warren (as 252.26); 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)