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Oval gem with youth leaning on pillar
Greek
Hellenistic Period
3rd–2nd century B.C.
Medium/Technique
Garnet
Dimensions
Length x width: 12 x 6 mm (1/2 x 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Hay Collection—Gift of C. Granville Way
Accession Number72.836
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Gems
DescriptionIntaglio. Highly convex; elongated oval shape. A nude youth standing and leaning on a pillar with his right elbow. He crosses his right leg over left knee/shin with weight on his left leg. He holds his unnaturally long left arm away from his body. No facial details are rendered, in contrast to the rounded pectoral muscles and modeling of the torso. Surface is scratched and somewhat worn.
ProvenanceBy 1836: Robert Hay Collection, Linplum, Scotland; 1863: to his son, Robert James Alexander Hay; 1868-1872: Way Collection, Boston (purchased by Samuel A. Way through London dealers Rollin and Feuardent, 27 Haymarket); 1872: given to the MFA by Samuel's son, C. Granville Way.