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Scarab with Aias/Ajax falling on his sword
Italic, Etruscan
Late Archaic Period
500–475 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Carnelian
Dimensions
Length: 1.3 cm (1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number27.717
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Scarabs and scaraboids
Catalogue Raisonné
Lewes House Gems, no. 041 (1920; 2002, additional published references).
DescriptionDeep, almost opaque, orange-red carnelian with two lighter inclusions. Scarab with flat, oval base engraved in intaglio; pierced lengthwise; modern, golden swivel mount now detached. Nude, bearded Aias/Ajax in ¾ view leaning over an upright sword, hilt on the ground. His long hair are flipped over his head. Ornate scabbard behind at left. IHatched border. Back carved as a beetle with a hatched border around the thorax, a single line dividing the elytra and dotted head. Winglets in relief. Detailed legs with spined front legs. Plinth with tongue pattern. Missing chip at right. Damaged beetle’s legs. Worn back.
ProvenanceBy date unknown: with Edward Perry Warren (according to J. D. Beazley, The Lewes House Collection of Ancient Gems, no. 41: from the Boulton collection [sale catalogue, no. 3]); April 5, 1926: loaned to MFA by Edward Perry Warren (as 117.26); November 17, 1927: purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren for $ 161,000.00 (this figure is the total price for MFA 27.647-27.761)