³⁄₄ in. (2 cm.) long

Giorgio Sangiorgi (1886-1965), Rome, acquired and brought to Switzerland, late 1930s; thence by continuous descent to the current owner.

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Lot Essay

Engraved in the talismanic style is a palm frond in a two-handled vase, with cross-hatching filling the zones between the handles. Sir Arthur Evans called the gems talismanic because of the stylization of their devices as compared to the realism found on other gems of the Middle and Late Minoan periods (see p. 42 in Boardman, Greek Gems and Finger Rings). For related talismanic seals see nos. 227-235 in O. Krzyszkowska, Aegean Seals, An Introduction.