seal;
intaglio
- Museum number
- 1887,0307,I.412
- Description
-
Seal; intaglio; Black basalt stoneware; oval; Medea stands before a withered tree, the emblem of old age and a head, with a beard, is fixed on the tree, an helmet and a buckler, a trophy of arms, lies at the base; reverse, domed, impressed with maker's mark and model number, with traces of red paint.
- Production date
- 1769-1780 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Length: 0.50 - 1 inches (max)
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- The source of this image is a gem listed in the Tassie and Raspe catalogue of 1791, as model numbers 8644 and 8645, listed under Jacob and Medea and described as 'Black Jasper (Lipp. I.674), Medea, half-naked, putting her left foot on a small altar or footstool, and holding a serpent which, as it is well-known, renews his skin every year. According to Ovid, she put a serpent in the drink she gave to Eson, the father of Jason, in order to renew his age. She is before a withered tree, the emblem of old age. A head, with a beard, is fixed on the tree, an helmet and a buckler.
We may from this suppose it to be Hygeia, or some other enchantment of the fair Sorceress of Colchos. Ovid, in his Metamorphosis, book VII. give a most charming description of the wonderful renewing of Eson's age; and it must be confessed has related it much better than the engraver.'
The model is listed in the Wedgwood and Bentley catalogue of 1779 as '200 Medea, &c. --- figures.', and in the Wedgwood catalogue of 1787 as '200 Medea, &c.', under Class I, Section II, 'Antique Subjects', but not as such in the 1773 Wedgwood and Bentley catalogue.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1887
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1887,0307,I.412