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Oval gem with satyr(?) holding bunch of grapes

Greek
Hellenistic Period
2nd century B.C.

Medium/Technique Garnet
Dimensions Length: 16 mm (5/8 in.)
Credit Line Henry Lillie Pierce Fund
Accession Number99.104
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsJewelry / AdornmentGems

DescriptionIntaglio. Motif carved on convex face. Set in modern gold ring. A satyr (?), wearing a large garland indicated by a mass of dots, walks to the right. In his right arm, down at his side, he holds a bunch of grapes, and another in his left hand in front of his upturned face. His head is small for his body; torso seen in three-quarters view. Motif situated on a ground line. Shallow carving.
ProvenanceThomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel (b. 1585 - d. 1646); by descent to his great-grandson, Henry Howard, 7th Duke of Norfolk (b. 1655 - d. 1701) and his wife, Mary Howard, Duchess of Norfolk (b. 1659 - d. 1705); bequeathed by Mary Howard to her second husband, John Germain (b. 1650 - d. 1718), 1st Bt.; bequeathed by John Germain to his second wife and widow, Elizabeth Berkeley Germain (b. 1680 - d. 1769); 1762, given by Elizabeth Germain to her great-niece, Mary Beauclerk (b. 1743 - d. 1812), upon her marriage to Lord Charles Spencer (b. 1740 - d. 1820); to his brother, George Spencer (b. 1789 – d. 1817), 4th Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace; by descent to John Winston Spencer-Churchill (b. 1822 – d. 1883), 7th Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace [see note 1]; June 28-July 1, 1875, Marlborough Gems sale, Christie, Manson and Woods, London, lot 215, collection sold en bloc to David Bromilow (d. 1898), Bitteswell Hall, Lutterworth; 1898, by descent to his daughter, Julia Harriet Mary Jary; June 26, 1899, sold by Mrs. Jary, The Marlborough Gems sale, Christie, Manson and Woods, London, lot 215 to W. T. Ready for 26 gns for Edward Perry Warren (b. 1860 – d. 1928), London; 1899, sold by Edward Perry Warren to the MFA for $16,502 [see note 2]. (Accession Date: January 1, 1899)

NOTES:
[1] On the history of the Marlborough Gem collection, see the introduction to the 1875 Christie's auction catalog and John Boardman, The Marlborough Gems (2010).
[2] This is the total price for 99.101-99.119.