A RARE PHOENICIAN DARK CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET... Lot 27

A RARE PHOENICIAN DARK CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING. LION ATTACKING A BULL. 6th - 5th century B.C. Stone 12x17 mm; int. Size 17x22 mm; 20,43 gr The lion, on the left, attacks the bull on the right of the scene, according to a stylized composition referable to the Phoenician production of the Classical Era. This production is inspired by archaic Greek models. Hatched border. Slight crack in the center of the stone, set in a heavy modern gold ring. This long popular oriental motif is well represented in a series of gems like this one. The Greek adopted the subject for their archaic scarabs. They also had some Eastern art influence (Persian empire). J. Boardman, Classical Phoenician scarabs, plate 42 n. 39/20 for the same scene and see also plate 43. Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired from D.C. collection, London.