Advanced Search 
Scaraboid gem with griffin
Greek
Classical Period
425–400 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Bronze
Dimensions
Length: 27 mm (1 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Edward Perry Warren
Accession Number27.771
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Scarabs and scaraboids
Catalogue Raisonné
Lewes House Gems, no. 085 (1920; 2002, additional published references).
DescriptionIntaglio. Set in modern gold loop. A griffin, facing left, seated on a club (or a monumental ground line with dentals). The griffin has large paws, pointy ears, and spiky mane; its mouth is open and tongue sticking out. Feathers of the wings continue onto the griffin's shoulders. In front of the griffin, at the extreme left edge of the field, is a bridled horse's head, facing left.
ProvenanceBy 1911: with Edward Perry Warren (according to J. D. Beazley, The Lewes House Collection of Ancient Gems, no. 85: Said to be from Athens. Formerly in the Evans collection. Bought in 1911.); April 5, 1926: loaned to MFA by Edward Perry Warren (as 72.26); November 17, 1927: gift of Edward Perry Warren to MFA