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Oval gem with striding lion
Roman
Imperial Period
2nd–early 3rd century A.D.
Medium/Technique
Jasper
Dimensions
Length: 22 mm (7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number23.589
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Gems
Catalogue Raisonné
Lewes House Gems, no. 115 (1920; 2002, additional published references).
DescriptionYellow jasper. Intaglio. Very slightly convex front; set in modern gold ring. Lion striding left with frontal head. Left front leg steps forward. The musculature, coat, and mane are modeled in great detail. The lion stands on a ground line that varies in depth. The inscription in the exergue reads "" (UPEREXIOU, "of Uperexios") and is likely the artist's signature.
InscriptionsΥΠΕΡΕΧΙΟΥ
ProvenanceAccording to J. D. Beazley, Lewes House Gems, no. 115: said to have been found in Macedonia in a porus sarcophagus. Bought from Rhousopoulos in 1897 (Rhousopoulos had known it for twenty years and before it was mounted;.....and had made many efforts to buy it. The owner....lived at Salonica.); November 21, 1923: purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren for $ 32,948.27 (this figure is the total purchase price for MFA 23.576-23.594)