Scarab, underside with a nude male athlete holding weights (halteres) for the long jump and bending over a pick
Datethird quarter of the 5th c. BCE
Periodearly Classical
CultureEtruscan
MediumCarnelian
ClassificationGems
ProvenanceNicolo Maffei or Mario Guarnacci collection before 1872; Émile Gavet collection, Paris, 1870s–1880s; Mr. and Mrs. William K. and Alva Erskine Smith Vanderbilt, Gothic Room, Marble House, Newport, Rhode Island, 1889–1895; transferred to Mrs. Alva Erskine Smith Vanderbilt Belmont in divorce, 1895; (consigned to Duveen Brothers, New York); purchased by John Ringling December 3, 1927; transferred to John Ringling, 1928; bequest to The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 1936-present.
Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936
Object numberSN1435.149
The Etruscans of Italy were in conflict with Greek colonies there, yet their art forms, writing system, and athletic competitions compare with Greek ones. The athlete depicted here would have competed in victory, funeral, or religious festival games. The inscribed name refers to the seal’s owner, an athlete, or both.
On View
Not on viewCollections
Length: 5/8 in. (1.53 cm)
Width: 1/2 in. (1.26 cm)
Scarab
Height (scarab): 3/8 in. (0.95 cm)
Stringhole
Diameter (at head): 1/8 in. (0.26–0.35 cm)
Diameter (at rear): 1/8 in. (0.28–0.31 cm)
Letter T
Height: 0.075 cm
Width: 0.06 cm
Letter A
Height: 0.065 cm
Width: 0.075 cm
Letter M
Height: 0.030 cm
Width: 0.14 cm
Letter V
Height: 0.05 cm
Width: 0.065 cm
Letter N
Height: 0.025 cm
Width: 0.05 cm
late 6th–early 5th century BCE
Unknown
late 6th–early 5th century BCE
second half of 6th to the 5th century BCE
Ancient
Ancient
1st Century
Ancient
ancient
Ancient or 18th century
Ancient