Post-Classical Red Agate Gemstone with Omphale

19TH-20TH CENTURY A.D.

1 in. (4.13 grams, 25 mm).

Elipsoid in plan with domed obverse; intaglio with Omphale standing nude on a baseline, right hand on her hip and supporting her club with her left; at her feet an Apulian trozella vessel; supplied with a museum-quality impression.

Provenance

Private collection, England.

Footnotes

The figure bears the classic symbol of Hercules - the club - but the details of her nude body and lack of beard indicate that this is a female.
Omphale was the queen of Lydia, daughter of the river Lardanos. According to myth, Hercules was a slave to the beautiful queen for three years and was forced by her to dress as a woman and spin wool, giving up his lion's head. It was Omphale who donned her lion's head and wielded the club, as depicted in this intaglio, an allegory of submission and revenge in love. An interesting post-classical work.

CONDITION

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LOT 1963