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Scaraboid gem with griffin
Greek
Late Archaic or Early Classical Period
5th century B.C.
Medium/Technique
Chalcedony
Dimensions
Length: 22 mm (7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number27.683
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Scarabs and scaraboids
DescriptionIntaglio. Pierced (horiztonal). Motif oriented horizontally. Griffin facing left. The griffin has long pointed ears, a spiky mane, and beak. Its mouth is open. Its hooves are indicated by a group of round pellets; three of its legs are grounded, while the front left leg is slightly raised. Ribs and haunch muscles indicated. Wings extend from the side of the griffin and extend up and back from the shoulder. The feathers are rendered by a series of parallel horizontal line, crossed by a single vertical line extending from the shoulder.
ProvenanceBy date unknown: with Edward Perry. Warren (according to his records: bought from a Greek); loaned to MFA by Edward Perry Warren, October 28, 1925 (as 569.25); purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren, November 17, 1927, for $ 161,000.00 (this figure is the total price for MFA 27.647-27.761)