Lotto 55 | A rare greek hellenistic beryl intaglio. Crab. 2nd - 1st century B.C.

Bertolami Fine Art - Bertolami Fine Art, 1 Harewood Place 1, W1S 1BU Londra

A rare greek hellenistic beryl intaglio. Crab. 2nd - 1st century B.C.

A rare greek hellenistic beryl intaglio. Crab.

2nd - 1st century B.C.

The crustacean is seen from above. The crab holds a shell (mussel?) between its claws. Every anatomical detail is rendered with great skill and naturalism. Popular and frequent subject in classical glyptic production; the reference model is identifiable to the late classical Greek art. The animal is deeply engraved in an extraordinary beryl, characterized by an intense and luminous color, thanks to the very convex surface. The shape of thr stone is more typical of the early hellenistic period.  Wear marks on the surface. Mirror polishing inside the intaglio. Of great rarity. Parallel: See greek coinage: Sicily, Akragas, silver Didrachm (circa 490-470 BC); Akragas, Sicily. Circa 414-413 BC. AR Tetradrachm. 

15x16x8 mm

Provenance: London, art market 1990s.