Apollon et Marsyas sur un « plectre » en Calcédoine / un objet singulier de la collection Gerhard à Berlin

Bibliographic Data

ID20313637
AuthorsChristophe Vendries (corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume79
Issue1
Pages7-29
Publication date2025-05-27
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueRevue archéologique (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0035-0737 • E-ISSN: 2104-3868
PublisherCAIRN.INFO (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.3917/arch.251.0007
OpenAlexW4411029198
LanguageFR
References cited18

A engraved stone purchased by Eduard Gerhard in Rome is described in his publication (1850) as a plektron. The stone, probably dates from the first century AD, has two uniqueness: it is cut in the shape of an acanthus leaf and has a decoration on the reverse with Apollo victorious over Marsyas during a musical competition. This scene echoes other figurative representations of the same type sculpted on Roman zithers but this gem cannot be a real plektron but should be a prestigious object which was not used for playing the cithara. Apart from its artistic qualities, there is little doubt that such an object was rare and precious and that its iconography, which offers an original version in the representation of the two protagonists, was ideologically significant

Art · Humanities · Diverse Cultural and Historical Studies · Historical and Literary Analyses · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies

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