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Scaraboid gem with a snake
Greek
Classical Period
450–425 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Carnelian
Dimensions
Length: 2.4 cm (15/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number27.702
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Scarabs and scaraboids
Catalogue Raisonné
Lewes House Gems, no. 078 (1920; 2002, additional published references).
DescriptionIntaglio. Pierced for stringing (horizontal). A coiled snake, facing left, raises its head. Texture of the snake's skin rendered by a series of chevrons along its body, ending at the last coil. Hatched border. Chip around left perforation.
ProvenanceBy 1911: with Edward Perry Warren (according to J. D. Beazley, The Lewes House Collection of Ancient Gems, no. 78: Bought in 1911.); April 5, 1926: loaned to MFA by Edward Perry Warren (as 61.26); 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)