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Oval gem with head of Diadoumenos
Roman
Late Republican to Early Imperial Period
mid 1st century B.C.–1st century A.D.
Medium/Technique
Carnelian
Dimensions
Length x width: 16 x 14 mm (5/8 x 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour
Accession Number62.1151
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Gems
DescriptionLight brownish carnelian (also called sard). Intaglio. Flat front and back faces. The head of a male youth faces in profile to the left. His curly hair, indicated by small clumps, is arranged in rows and is bound by a fillet. The carving of the details is very crisp and the surface is highly polished. The figure on this gem is a version of the Diadoumenos, or "diadem bearer," a sculpture originally cast in bronze by the Greek artist Polykleitos around 430 B.C. The sculpture was popularly copied and became well-known in other media such as gems.
ProvenanceBy 1961: Dr. L. Lahut Uzman Collection (according to his records: Bought by Tuba from Petro - Istanbul. June '61.); 1962: inherited by Mrs. L. Lahut Uzman; December 12, 1962: one of the group of 20 gems (62.1145–62.1164) purchased by MFA from Mrs. L. Lahut Uzman for a total price of $ 2,200-