ASTA 267 - GLITTICA

A LARGE ROMAN BURNT CARNELIAN SET IN A MODERN SOLID GOLD RING. BUST OF APOLLO.

1st century B.C.

Stone 13,5x18,5 mm; int. Size 18x22 mm; 19,35

The god is facing left, his hair adorned by a laurel wreath. He wears a draped tunic attached on the shoulders. Behind, his lyra. Presence of globular elements. Wear marks.

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired from Christie's sale 17/02/2011 (Collection Jean-Philippe Mariaud de Serres).

A ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. BUST OF A YOUTH.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

Stone 8x10 mm; int. size 17x18 mm; 4,00 gr

With large flatten hoop expanding directly onto an oval bezel set with a carnelian intaglio; portrait of a youth facing left, wearing a laurel wreath. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. BUST OF ATTIS.

1st century A.D.

Stone 11x15 mm; int. diam 17 mm; 6,76 gr

The young man is turned to the left, wearing his typical Phrygian cap (from which the long hair comes out) and a long sleeved, heavy, hatched "sweater". He is holding the pedum in his left hand; in his right hand, between two fingers, he is holding a small fruit (which can be identified with an almond), which he carefully observes. According to the myth, a plant, in the form of an almond tree, was born from the blood spilling from his father's (Adgistis) castration (Pausania); Nana, daughter to the king Sangarius, picked an almond and got pregnant, giving birth to Attis. Following the myth, in this intaglio Attis is contemplating the fruit which was the cause of his divine conception. Extraordinary iconography, and of a particular interest, also related to the cult of Cybele and to mysteries, with an allegorical reference to fecundation. The stone is chipped in its upper part, and fragmented at the bottom, partially reintegrated by the gold of the modern mounting.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. BUST OF A GODDESS.

2nd century A.D.

Stone 11x13 mm; 9,90 gr; int. size 19,5x20,5 mm

With rounded hoop, the shoulders agremented with two gold spherical beads surmounting a layered bezel set with a carnelian intaglio depicting a laureated divinity facing left; probably Apollo. Surface of the mounting has been retooled. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. PORTRAIT OF ARTEMIS.

1st century A.D.

13x15x3 mm

The goddess is facing left with quiver and bow behind her shoulder. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. BUST OF ARTEMIS.

2nd century A.D.

10 x 11 x 2 mm

The goddess is facing left, the head adorned with a diadema. Behind her shoulder a bow. Wear marks.

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

A LARGE ROMAN HOLLOW GOLD RING SET WITH AN AGATE INTAGLIO. BUST OF ATHENA.

1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.

Stone 12x16 mm; int. size 16x18 mm; 10.68 gr

With large rounded hollowed hoop ending onto an oval bezel set with an agate intaglio. Bust of helmeted Athena facing left. She wears the armour with the snake. Use of globular elements. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A LATE ROMAN AGATE CAMEO SET IN A GOLD RING. HELMETED BUST.

3rd - 4th century A.D.

Stone 13x19 mm; int. Size 18,5x19 mm; 16,33 gr

The effigy, turned to the right, is wearing the chlamys, showing a naked shoulder. The stone has been vigorously engraved in high relief, with a clear detachment of the figure from the field. Probably Athena, or a soldier. Some chippings and small lacks. Wear marks.

See: Martin Henig, The Content Cameos, p. 76 n.137.

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

AN EASTERN ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A JASPER INTAGLIO. DOUBLE PORTRAIT OF HELIOS AND SELENE.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

Stone 10x14 mm; 4,81 gr; int. size 17x25 mm

With rounded hoop, flatten within, the shoulder with leaves pattern surmounting an oval gold box setting with a jasper intaglio depicting Helios and Selene. The double portrait is facing left. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN GREEN CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING. TWO PORTRAITS.

2nd-3rd century A.D.

Stone 12,5x15 mm; int. Size 18x19 mm; 8,78 gr.

Two facing portraits, probably of spouses. To the left, a diademed and draped female bust. To the right, draped male bust. Beautiful variety of vivid green chalcedony characterized by a very convex profile. Missing on the edge. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A LARGE ROMAN TWO LAYERED AGATE INTAGLIO. DOUBLE BUST PORTRAIT.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

12x19x4 mm

To the left side a draped male bust, to the right the bust of Helios. The two characters look at each other. On the sides of each one, a stylized torch. Slight wear marks.

Provenance: U.K private collection

A ROMAN CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO HEAD OF YOUNG EMPEROR AS HERCULES.

2nd century A.D.

10x13x2 mm

The effigy is facing right, with a laureated head and a lion's skin tied around the neck. Probably an emperor in hero guise. Partially burnt stone. Slight wear marks.

Provenance: U.K private collection