AN HELLENISTIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. BUST OF A NEREID.

AN HELLENISTIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. BUST OF A NEREID.3rd-2nd century B.C.12x15x3 mmThe young figure is facing left, and characterized by a slightly open mouth, rounded chin, long and thick hair, with strong inspiration from the Hellenistic models. The face is characterized by delicate features finely engraved and mirror polished. The left shoulder is seen from behind, as in the typical movement of swimming. The figure is variously interpreted as Nereid or as Leander crossing the Dardanelles to reach the lover Eros. Slight wear marks.Parallels: A. Giuliano, I cammei dalla Collezione Medicea del Museo Archeologico di Firenze, pp. 216-217; L. P. B. Stefanelli, La collezione Paoletti, vol. 1, tomo 2 n. 218, tomo 3 n. 480; Le Gemme Farnese, 1994, p. 122 n. 184 (225); G.M. A. Richter, Engraved gems. Greek, Etruscan and Roman, The Metropolitan Museum of New York, n. 150; J. Boardman, Greek gems and finger rings, n. 1003.Provenance: U.K. private collection