ARCHAIC PERIOD, CIRCA EARLY 5TH CENTURY B.C.

The high scarab with carinated back is carved on the underside with the figure of a well-muscled youth throwing a discus, with both arms raised, one leg crossed behind the other, head angled down. The scene surrounded by a hatched border. For the discus thrower as a subject on early Greek gems cf. J. Boardman, Archaic Greek Gems, London, 1968, p. 82, no. 215, pl. XIV; and for the popularity of the discobolos on classical gems in general, in various poses, both active and static cf. G. Lippold, Gemmen und kameen des Altertums und der Neuzeit, Stuttgart, 1922, pl. LV.