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Oval gem with the death of Dolon
Greek or Roman
Hellenistic Period
2nd–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 Number27.740
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Gems
Catalogue Raisonné
Lewes House Gems, no. 110 (1920; 2002).
DescriptionOrange-red carnelian. Oval intaglio; convex front and back; set in a modern gold ring. Dolon, fallen to his knees, graps Odysseus’ knee and holds his right hand up to plead for his life. Diodemes at right holds Dolon’s hair and is about to strike him with the sword held his left hand. The fallen Trojan wears a long-sleeved garment, short chiton, and wolfskin drawn over his head and tied around his shoulders. At left, Odysseus, bearded, wears a pilos and chlamys, and holds a sheathed sword in his right hand. Diomedes wears a chlamys and scabbard slung around his torso. Uneven ground line. Slightly scratched surface.
ProvenanceBy date unknown: with Edward Perry Warren; April 5, 1926: loaned to MFA by Edward Perry Warren (as 101.26); 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)