Very small, bright orange carnelian scarab of slightly unusual shape, is pierced horizontally (rather than longitudinally). Scarab’s wing case has vertical grooves; legs and other features schematically rendered. Chipped near one suspension hole; surface of scarab dull, but engraved scene is still sharp. In a single-line border, a nude, pot-bellied man, turned to left, strings a bow; floating against the plain background are a quiver (in front of him) and long shield (behind), possibly the pelta with small central boss. 

Although described in the Hertz Sale Catalogue as “Philoctetes, with the bow of Hercules,” this scene is now recognized as a standard representation of “Paris with the bow,” according to Zazoff.

Bought from the Hertz Collection for Joseph Mayer by H.E. Smith for 16 shillings.

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Very small, bright orange carnelian scarab of slightly unusual shape, is pierced horizontally (rather than longitudinally). Scarab’s wing case has vertical grooves; legs and other features schematically rendered. Chipped near one suspension hole; surface of scarab dull, but engraved scene is still sharp. In a single-line border, a nude, pot-bellied man, turned to left, strings a bow; floating against the plain background are a quiver (in front of him) and long shield (behind), possibly the pelta with small central boss. Although described in the Hertz Sale Catalogue as “Philoctetes, with the bow of Hercules,” this scene is now recognized as a standard representation of “Paris with the bow,” according to Zazoff. Bought from the Hertz Collection for Joseph Mayer by H.E. Smith for 16 shillings.

Scarab

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