Cameo with portrait heads
Dublin Core
Title
Cameo with portrait heads
Subject
Hellenistic Gems
Description
"Medium: Sardonyx
Dimensions: 4 1/2 x 13/16 in. (11.5 x 2 cm)
Classification : Gems" (from the museum website description)
Dimensions: 4 1/2 x 13/16 in. (11.5 x 2 cm)
Classification : Gems" (from the museum website description)
This item actually shows the lack of poverty displayed in this kingdom. This item was produced in during Alexander the Great's reign. He had only the best: his father Phillip II employed Aristotle to be his tutor. According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's website, in regards to gems like these, Alexander favored the gem cutter Pyrgoteles and this item shows the amount of wealth showed in this period. "The astounding wealth of the Hellenistic Kingdoms is most evident in the opulent luxury items that were produced for royalty...." (The Metropolitan Museum of Art).
Creator
"Greek, Ptolemaic"
Publisher
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Date
"278-269 B.C."
Contributor
Sarah Pesola
Rights
Copyright. The use of this image is for educational purposes only. The rights belong to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Relation
Antikensammlung, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
Format
Image
Type
Image
Coverage
"Period: Hellenistic
Date: 278-269 B.C.
Location: Europe, Greece"
Date: 278-269 B.C.
Location: Europe, Greece"
Collection
Citation
"Greek, Ptolemaic", “Cameo with portrait heads,” World History 1 Online, Spring 2019, accessed October 17, 2026, https://jacknorton.org/1101-online-sp19/items/show/8.