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Oval gem with centaur and Eros
Roman
Imperial Period
1st century B.C.–1st century A.D.
Medium/Technique
Lapis lazuli
Dimensions
Length: 11 mm (7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number13.235
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Gems
DescriptionIntaglio. Double convex; set in modern ring. A centaur walks to the left, with an Eros kneeling on the centaur's back. The centaur turns his head back to look at Eros, who appears to have bound the centaur's arms behind its back. 2 armlets around centaur's upper left arm. Eros is choppy with small, stubby wings.
ProvenanceFrom the Boulton Collection, sold at auction, Dec. 12th, 1911, according to Warren's records; purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren, January 2, 1913, for $18,948.70 (this figure is the total price for MFA 13.186-13.245)