Provenance: 
Private Collection of an Archaeologist, Italy, prior to 1949.
Father Angelico Rinaldo Zarlenga (1919-1985), Italy and United States; thence by descent to his brother.
Fra Angelico Art Foundation, Riverside, Illinois; where acquired by the current owner, 14 August 2008.

Note:
This rare and finely carved bone handle depicts a mythical scene from the ninth labor of Hercules in which Hercules draws his sword to kill Hippolyta, the queen of the Amazons, and take her belt. Themes from Greek mythology were immensely popular and often the motif of choice for Etruscan toiletries. Originally a bronze mirror engraved with similar subject matter would have connected to this handle.

Used primarily by women, these mirrors were designed to include relevant visual metaphors and allegories. As is the case with the handle seen here, the dark subject matter of death is made light with sexual overtones. Hercules is depicted in the nude with a warrior's physique holding an erect sword close to his hip, while Hippolyta is shown in full panoply with shield held high and in a defensive position. Together, these two figures fill the entire tableau, their bodies overlapping multiple times around the handle. Hercules' right arm can be seen tucked behind Hippolyta's shield, and left leg pressing against her inner thigh. They are facing each other, heads in profile, both with expressive smiles. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the spirit of this decoration was intended for the boudoir.

Although the subject matter on this handle depicts a purely Greek scene, it is heavily Etruscanized. The geometric stylization, difference in scale, distinct drill work, archaistic features, and slight variations to mythological iconography, places this object in Etruria, Italy during the 6th Century B.C. when Etruscan culture was flourishing most.   

For a bone handle with similar scene, see The British Museum of Art (Inv. no. 1884,0614.30).