The simple beetle, said to be from Taranto, has a hatched border dividing the thorax and wing cases, and the legs are in relief, all on a plain plinth. On the underside, a nude Hermes kneels above a groundline, holding his kerykeion in one hand, the other resting on his thigh. His upper torso is in three-quarter view while his head is depicted in profile. The scene is enclosed within a hatched border.
For the subject and style, compare the chalcedony scaraboid from Marion, now in Nicosia, Cyprus, no. 257 in Boardman, Archaic Greek Gems.
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Masterpieces in Miniature: Ancient Engraved Gems formerly in the G. Sangiorgi Collection Part III
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Intact, some very tiny chips to the edges; some modern transparent glue on one end.
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Lot 9Sale 20996
ARCHAIC PERIOD, CIRCA EARLY 5TH CENTURY B.C.A GREEK CARNELIAN SCARAB WITH HERMESEstimate: USD 12,000 - 18,000
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