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Oval gem with Omphale
Roman
Late Republican or Early Imperial Period
50–1 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Carnelian
Dimensions
Length: 24 mm (15/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number13.236
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Gems
DescriptionIntaglio. Convex front, flat back; set in modern bezel. Omphale standing left, on a partial ground line. She holds the club of Herakles over her right shoulders, and has a lion skin draped around her shoulders like a shawl. Head of the lion skin falls at her mid-back; all four paws hand down around her and are indicated bya a series of 5 or 6 pellets. She looks down, and stands with weight on her right leg, left leg slightly bent. Head in profile, torso in three-quarter view. Hair pulled back into a bun.
ProvenanceBy date unknown: with Edward Perry Warren (according to Warren's records: from the Boulton Collection, sold at auction, Dec. 12th, 1911); January 2, 1913: purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren for $18,948.70 (this figure is the total price for MFA 13.186-13.245)