Archaeological Museum of Bologna

In the gem, a beautiful light blue chalcedony, is depicted a crouching lion, whose body is made with high accuracy, in the musculature details and in the mane representation, in a style that shows the influence of classical Greek art.
The gem is the work of a greek artist, probably of Ionian origin, area in which the production of gems decorated with animal figures lying or grazing is a particularly widespread theme.

More info

The shape of this type of seal is derived from the Egyptian scarab, reproducing its oval shape, with a figured representation on the flat side. The gem is the work of a Greek engraver, probably from the Ionian area, in which the production of gems decorated with figures of reclining or grazing animals was particularly common.

Datation: First half of the 4th century BC
Material: Blue chalcedony
Dimensions: mm 20 x 15,3 x 9,3
Inventory #: Gl 13