FRAGMENT OF REVERSE PAINTED GLASS WITH TRACES OF GILDING, depicting the forepart of a long-necked animal about to pounce on the upper part of a naked youth standing among foliage, in two pieces and joined7.8 x 4.4cm.

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FRAGMENT OF REVERSE PAINTED GLASS WITH TRACES OF GILDING, depicting the forepart of a long-necked animal about to pounce on the upper part of a naked youth standing among foliage, in two pieces and joined7.8 x 4.4cm.
3rd-4th Century A.D.

Lot Essay

Is this a possible representation of Herakles combating the hydra? The long-necked creature with short forelegs is unparalleled in the natural world

Cf. Cooney, 761. The author writes: "The manufacture of gold glass was probably an Alexandrian development and speciality. Examples of certain Egyptian origin are very rare"

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