Curator

  • Art Institute Chicago
  • Harvard art museum
  • My Exhibition
Engraved Gem with Woman Leaning on a Column

Engraved Gem with Woman Leaning on a Column

Greek

Carnelian intaglio with engraving on the slightly convex surface. A woman stands in profile facing right. In her left hand, she holds bird while he right hand grasps a scepter. She wears a sleevesless chiton, cinched at the shoulders, the folds of which are delicately engraved at the bottom. The details of her face are only schematically rendered, showing her pointed noise and a tiny eye. Her hair is pulled back into a chignon at the nape of her neck. The stone is lightly chipped at the bottom edge.

Carnelian

Hellenistic period

Gems