Description:

Ancient Greece, Hellenistic Period, ca. late 4th to 3rd century BCE. A fine intaglio of a lion, hand-sculpted from beautiful banded agate in warm hues of apricot, peach, and cream. The fierce beast faces left and bows his head, displaying a thick mane, a broad flank, slender legs, and an extended tail. In the classical world, lions symbolized power, wealth, and might. They were famously featured in many ancient myths, perhaps the most famous being that of Herakles (Roman Hercules) slaying the Nemean lion for his first labor. The lion's fur was believed to be impenetrable to attacks since according to legend it was made of gold and its claws were far sharper than swords with the power to slice through armor. Size: 0.6" L x 0.3" W (1.5 cm x 0.8 cm)

Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s

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#174062

  • Condition: Minor chipping to peripheries of verso. Otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive remaining details.

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September 1, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000