Lot 1708

Description

Lesbos, Mytilene, c.430 B.C., electrum hekte (2.46 grams), Bodenstedt dates 454-428/7 B.C., obv. head of Aktaion with stag's ear and small horn to right, his hair falling on his shoulders in coarse locks, rev. Gorgon head facing within linear square, (cf.S.4246 [£850]; Bodenstedt 54 [same dies as obv. f/ rev. n], [dies illustrated enlarged Pl.22, 2]; SNG Von Aulock 7735, SNG Lockett 2760, SNG Fitz. 4348). Worn but of the finest early Classical style, fine and very rare.

Aktaion had inadvertenly seen Artemis bathing. The goddess in her anger changed him into a stag and he was torn to pieces by her own dogs. This myth is popular in Greek vase painting but only found on coins from Kyzikos, Lampsakos and this hekte of Mytilene and in all cases for one issue only. On this piece the transformation from a youth to the stag is illustrated with the hair turning into a mane.