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Objects found: 14
Person/InstitutionHelen of Troyx
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Birth of Helena

Museum August Kestner Gemmen, Kameen und Glaspasten. Die Sammlung geschnittener Steine Ancient Cultures [K 50]
Geburt der Helena (Gemme) (Museum August Kestner CC BY-NC-SA)
Provenance/Rights: Museum August Kestner / Christian Tepper (CC BY-NC-SA)
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Description

In some narrative versions, only Helen hatches from the egg. The depiction on this gem seems to refer to this. It is apparently the Kyprian version, according to which Nemesis - pregnant by Zeus - laid the egg in the marshes of Rhamnous. Leda found it there and hatched the egg on an ash altar. A comparable motif can be found on a mural in the Aula Isiaca on the Palatine in Rome. (AVS)

Former August Kestner Collection, Rome

Material/Technique

Carnelian / carved

Measurements

Height: 1.24 cm, width: 1.46 cm

Literature

  • Schlüter, Margildis - Platz-Horster, Gertrud (1975): Antike Gemmen in deutschen Sammlungen IV. Hannover, Kestner Museum, Hamburg, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe. Wiesbaden
Museum August Kestner

Object from: Museum August Kestner

The Museum August Kestner is named after August Kestner (1777-1853). The oldest municipal museum in the state capital Hanover is enclosed by a listed...

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