An etruscan chalcedony intaglio. Hercules.

Late 4th - early 3rd century B.C.

12x16x3 mm

Judging by the look of the back of the stone, it must have been an ancient scarab, then cutted and planed (probably due to an accident or a defect in the stone). The underside then use for the engraved design: Hercules with his club, collecting water from a fountain in an amphora. The hero is standing naked and turned left toward a source from which a fine jet of water flows into his amphora. In his right hand, the club. On either side of his shoulders, globes. Hatched border. Despite the reuse of the stone, the execution of the engraving figure shows great details and skills. The rendering volumes of the body as well as for the club and amphora, and the details of the face show the high quality of the intaglio. Use of globular elements. Parallels: J. Boardman, Intaglios and rings. Greek, Etruscan and Eastern from a private collection, n. 139-140, 150; P. Zazoff, ES, n. 66-67.

Estimate: GBP 1500 - 2000