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Oval gem with Herakles wrestling the Nemean lion
Greek
Archaic Period
525–500 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Carnelian
Dimensions
Length: 1.6 cm (5/8 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number27.674
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Gems
Catalogue Raisonné
Lewes House Gems, no. 022 (1920; 2002, additional published references).
DescriptionIntaglio. Set in gold swivel hoop ring. Herakles has arms clasped around lion's neck. Hatched border; flat under Herakles and discontinued at other end.
ProvenanceBy date unknown: with Edward Perry Warren (according to J. D. Beazley, The Lewes House Collection of Ancient Gems, no. 22: from Cyprus and formerly in the Higgins collection [sale catalogue, 1904, no. 56]); April 5, 1926: loaned to MFA by Edward Perry Warren (as 130.26); 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)