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Oval gem with Diomedes and Odysseus
Roman
Imperial Period
mid 1st century B.C.
Medium/Technique
Jasper
Dimensions
Legacy dimension: 0.017 m.
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number13.233
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Gems
DescriptionIntaglio. Flat front and back; set in modern ring. At right, Diomedes (unbearded) sits on an altar with a garland hanging off the edge; he holds a statuette of armed Athena (the Trojan Palladion) in his right hand, and a short sword in his left hand, on which he leans. A cloak draped over his left arm. A body (guard? Priestess?) lies in front of the altar; only the lower body and feet are visible. At left, Odysseus (bearded) approaches, wearing a pointy cap (pilos), and holds a sword in his right hand; a cloak is draped over Odysseus' right arm. He steps over the corpse and gestures towards it with his left hand.
ProvenanceFrom the Boulton Collection, sold at auction, Dec. 12th, 1911, according to Warren's records; purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren, January 2, 1913, for $18,948.70 (this figure is the total price for MFA 13.186-13.245)