Roman Carnelian Gemstone of the Young God Hercules Fighting Snakes

2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.

1/2 in. (0.70 grams, 13 mm).

Intaglio image of Hercules kneeling on a baseline holding a snake aloft in one hand and gripping another in the other hand; supplied with a museum-quality impression.

Provenance

Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s.
Private collection, London, UK.

Footnotes

According to legend, Hera wanted to rid herself of the infant Hercules and placed snakes in his crib. So strong was he even at that young age that he managed to overcome and kill them. The artist has represented the hero as a fully-grown young man.

CONDITION

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LOT 0009