A Grand Tour Carnelian intaglio. The Death of Othryades.
A Grand Tour Carnelian intaglio. The Death of Othryades.
Date 18th century
Period Neoclassical, Grand Tour
Origin London, consignment, For sale
Medium Carnelian
Dimension 1.2 x 1.5 x 0.3 cm (0¹/₂ x 0⁵/₈ x 0¹/₈ inches)
The composition of the scene is reminiscent of certain contemporary statuary groups representing the Spartan hero Othryades, tired of having survived his companions, he is represented laying down his weapons and killing himself. (cf. an engraving dating from 1781, showing an intaglio on carnelian).
Othryades is a Spartan warrior who gives victory to the Lacedaemonian state at the Battle of the 300 Champions in 546 B.C. He is frequently cited by ancient authors, like Leonidas and the Three Hundred of Thermopylae, as an example of Spartan heroism. By tradition, Othryades was ashamed to be the only man in his unit to live, and so he killed himself on the field of battle rather than return to Sparta.
Platz-Horster, citing Cades, refers that one similar intaglio has been executed by Calandrelli, copying an ancient gem.
Date: 18th century
Period: Neoclassical, Grand Tour
Origin: London, consignment, For sale
Medium: Carnelian
Dimension: 1.2 x 1.5 x 0.3 cm (0¹/₂ x 0⁵/₈ x 0¹/₈ inches)
Provenance: Formerly, J.Adrien Blanchet (1866-1957), numismat collector
In the same family, until 2012
Private collection
Literature: For a similar scene see
- Cades 74, 9 I I
- Paoletti VII, I 66
- Platz-Horster 7, C37
Anthea Fine Arts
Antiquities, Classical Sculptures, Glyptics and Jewelry.
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