Advanced Search 
Oval gem with head of Tigranes II of Armenia
Greek
Hellenistic Period
early to mid 1st century B.C.
Medium/Technique
Jasper
Dimensions
Length: 14 mm (9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase with funds donated by contribution
Accession Number01.7595
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Gems
DescriptionRed Jasper. Intaglio. Head of Tigranes II (the Great), facing left. He wears the Armenian tiara with five spikes/peaks rendered by two pellets, a larger topped by a smaller. The entire crown is outlined with round dots. On the tiara, an eight-pointed star with a central circle is flanked on either side by birds (possibly eagles), facing outward but turning their heads back towards the central star. Two flaps also outlined with dots extend from underneath the tiara, covering his hair and ear.
ProvenanceBy 1900: with Edward Perry Warren (according to Warren's records: Bought in Smyrna 1900.); purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren, December 1901