Description: POLYDAMAS SUPPORTING THE FALLING ROOF OF A ROCKY CAVE
Inscription Greek: ΑΠΟΛΛΟΝΙΔΟΥ
Signature: Apollonides
Last Recorded Collection: Unknown
Previous Collections:
Christie's, London: 1839
Catalogue des pierres gravées antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski ([1830?]-1833): VIII.7.5
Prendeville, J.: Explanatory catalogue of the proof-impressions of the antique gems possessed by the late Prince Poniatowski and now in the possession of John Tyrrell, Esq. (1841): 1197
Comments: The alternative impression of the subject was found and identified by R. Schmidt, who kindly provided the photograph. The alternative version adds 'modesty cloaks' to the male figures, a tree in front of the fleeing pair, and even though the signature, Apollonides, is copied correctly it is not centred under the groundline as on the other known Poniatowski gems. The fact that it is in mirror image suggest that it might have been inspired by an impression of the original gem.
