ASTA 267 - GLITTICA

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING. ATHENA.

2nd century A.D.

Stone 13x15 mm; int. Size 18,5x19 mm; 8,96 gr.

Athena standing between two semi-columns. With the right hand she holds the spear, with the left she rests the shield on a semi-column. The divinity is helmeted and tunicated, turned with the head to the right. Chips on the edge. Wear marks.

Provenance: European collection, acquired on the market, early 2000's.

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN GOLD SOLID RING. SATYR MAKING OFFERS TO PRIAPUS.

1st century A.D.

Stone 11x15 mm; int. Size 18x20 mm; 20,08 gr

The scene shows the satyr seated on a rock and facing left. He is making offers to Priapus in the shape of an herm on a short column. Thyrsus. Groundline. Wear marks.

Provenance: Formerly Galerie de Serres, Paris ;From a private collection, France, acquired on the art market in the early 2000s

A LOT OF 2 RINGS WITH ROMAN INTAGLIOS. DEITIES.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

Stone 7x10 mm; 7x11 mm; Total weight 5,08 gr

On the left, incised rounded hoop set with a jasper intaglio depicting a young naked characted standing right leaning on a column, behind an incense burner. On the right, a silver and gold fragmentary ring set with a nicolo intaglio showing a partially naked female character seen from behind in three-quarters and holding a stick. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. HERCULES FIGHTING THE BULL.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

Stone 11x13 mm; int. diam 17,5 mm; 2,20 gr

With a plain gold hoop surmounted by a rounded bezel set with a large intaglio showing the hero lifting the bull. The muscles tension is represented by a treatment of anatomical volumes and an athletic posture; the left leg brought forward is bent, while the right leg is extended towards the back. Behind his left foot, the club. Groundline. Chip on edge, wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A FINE ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING. JASON AND THE GOLDEN FLEECE.

Early 1st century A.D.

Stone 16x21 mm; int. size 18x20 mm; 30,07 gr

The oval stone slightly convex, engraved with Jason standing before the golden fleece which hangs in a tree before him. The hero is nude but with a mantle draped over his shoulder, holding a spear and a shield, its rim resting on his shoulder, and wearing a crested helmet, one hand raised before him in a gesture of contemplation, a serpent coiled in the tree, its head raised above the fleece, and a cylindrical altar for Zeus Laphystios in the center, upon which is the head of a ram, on a groundline. Slight wear marks. The stone is set in a later modern heavy collector gold ring.

For the subject compare the carnelian gem in the Cabinet des Médailles, Paris, no. 318 in Richter, Engraved Gems of the Romans.

Provenance: From a private collection, France. The stone come from a Christie's: 5/12/ 2001 sale 9826 (Ancient Jewelry, NY).

A ROMAN RED JASPER INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. HERCULES FIGHTING THE NEMEAN LION.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

Stone 13x17 mm; int. diam 17 mm; 4,00 gr.

The young hero fights against the Nemean lion, strangling it with his left arm. The ferocious animal opens its mouth wide in pain. Behind, the club. Groundline. Small missing on the edge. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market

A ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A NICOLO INTAGLIO. HUNTER WITH RABBITS.

3rd century A.D.

Stone 13x15 mm; int. size 17x21 mm; 6,60 gr

With large rounded hoop expanding in broader shoulders agremented of a central raised spin and flatten at the top, surmounted by an oval bezel set with a nicolo intaglio. The scene represents a young hunter walking left with his catch on a stick and in his left hand. At his feet, a dog. Groundline. Wear marks.

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired from D.C. collection, London.

A ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A NICOLO INTAGLIO. NIKE.

3rd century A.D.

Stone 6x9 mm; int. Size 15x21 mm; 14,80 gr

Kindred type. Polygonal hoop, expanding upwards. The shoulders decorated with high incisions. The bezel is decorated with engraved volutes pattern. In the center is set an oval nicolo intaglio. A winged Victory facing right holding a laurel wreath on a dextrarum junctio. Slight wear marks. Deposits.

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired on the art market in the early 2000s

A LARGE ROMAN SILVER RING ORNATED BY A GOLD FRAME WITH A RED JASPER INTAGLIO. OEDIPUS AND THE SPHINX.

1st - 3rd century A.D.

Intaglio 7 x 12 mm ; 20 grs; int diam 22 mm

Large ring of oval form, deeply grooved on the outside. Around the oval bezel is a series of chiseled volutes. With dotted gold frame is set a fine red jasper intaglio.Oedipus with the weapons standing left in front of the Sphinx to resolve her enigmas. Wear marks.

For a similar ring typology see: Marshall, F.H., Catalogue of Rings, n° 1440

Provenance: From the collection of an European gentleman, acquired on the art market

A ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. EROS MAKING OFFERS.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

Stone 8x10 mm; int. size 16x19 mm; 4,10 gr

With rounded hoop, between the end is an oval box setting with an incised groove containing the carnelian intaglio: winged Eros making offers in a natural landscape. On either side of the hoop at each end are soldered large platted globules. Wear marks and missing material on the box-setting.

For a similar typology see: F.H. Marshall, Finger Rings, n.461

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired from D.C. collection, London.

A ROMAN GOLD RING FOR A CHILD WITH THE ENGRAVED BEZEL. HARPOCRATES.

1st-2nd century A.D.

int. Size 11 mm; 1,00 gr

With flat hoop, broad and polygonal, the rectangular bezel with engraved design; standing Harpocrates, the head facing left, with the cornucopia in his right hand. Groundline. Wear marks.

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired on the art market in the early 2000s

A LATE ROMAN GOLD PENDANT SET WITH A CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. SEATED PERSONIFICATION OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

4th century A.D.

Stone 15x19 mm; 3,21 gr

Composed of two gold sheets saldered, the suspension hook made of a separated gold sheet with three gold spherical beads. The intaglio depicts the personification of the city of Constantinople, enthroned, wearing helmet and holding scepter and globe, a shield lies at her side, a prow at her feet. Wear marks.

For a similar iconography see: SPIER, J., Late Antique and Early Christian Gems, p. 21 n. 32.

Provenance: U.K. private collection