Details

LOT 0858

Roman Gemstone of Hercules with Ceryneian Hind in Gold Ring

2ND CENTURY A.D.

1 1/8 in. (24.05 grams, 29.85 mm overall, 22.95 x 22.30mm internal diameter (approximate size British Z+2, USA 13 1/4, Europe 31.31, Japan 30)).

Red jasper intaglio engraved with nude Hercules draped in lion's skin, holding antlers of a reclining hind; set into a later substantial gold ring with carinated hoop and enigmatic italic inscription to the inner face with date 1922.

Provenance

Private collection, England.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13171-249502.

Literature

For the pose, see National Archaeological Museum of Spain, item 38315BIS; The British Museum, registration number 1805,0703.137.

Footnotes

The third labour of Hercules was to capture the Ceryneian hind, a swift, golden-antlered animal sacred to the goddess Artemis (Diana), required to bring it alive to the court of King Eurystheus. He accomplished the task after a year-long chase, when he wounded the hind's legs with an arrow near the Ladon River. He explained the situation to Artemis, and after he showed the hind to the king, the animal was released back into nature.