CIRCA 18TH CENTURY

This large cameo is sculpted in high relief with the bust of Galene, one of the Nereids, in profile to the right. She has an articulated eye, long wavy hair falling on the shoulders, the bust outlined in drapery. The back of the stone is concave. The subject is well known from a large group of intaglios, in stone or glass, from the late Hellenistic period. For a recent discussion, see pp. 89-90 in D. Plantzos, Hellenistic Engraved Gems. The gem is mounted as a ring in a 19th century gold setting.