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Round gem with Triton and Nereid
Roman
Late Republican Period
about 40–30 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Carnelian
Dimensions
Length: 16 mm (5/8 in.)
Credit Line
Henry Lillie Pierce Fund
Accession Number99.103
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Gems
DescriptionIntaglio. Set in modern gold ring. Back of stone is faceted. In the center, Triton, bare-chested and shown only from the waist up, raises his right hand up to his head, while clasping a female figure, a Nereid, with his left hand. The Nereid is also only shown from the waist up, draped around her waist but with bare torso. At lower left, emerging from waves, a dolphin head and the head of a boy, possibly Eros. Another head just visible along the break at the bottom of the gem. Wavy drapery behind Triton's head. In the field, below Triton's left arm, an inscription in Greek: 'HYLLOS.' Motif is deeply carved.
ProvenanceGeorge Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough (b. 1739 – d. 1817), Blenheim Palace; by descent within the family 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 187, collection sold en bloc for £35,000 to David Bromilow (b. 1809 – d. 1898), Bitteswell Hall, Lutterworth; 1898, by descent to his daughter, Julia Harriet Mary Jary; June 26, 1899, sold by Mrs. Jary, Marlborough Gems sale, Christie, Manson and Woods, London, lot 187, sold for £72 to W. T. Ready 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 catalogue and John Boardman, The Marlborough Gems (2010).
[2] This is the total price for MFA 99.101-99.119.
NOTES:
[1] On the history of the Marlborough Gem collection, see the introduction to the 1875 Christie's auction catalogue and John Boardman, The Marlborough Gems (2010).
[2] This is the total price for MFA 99.101-99.119.