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

A PAIR OF GOLD CUFFLINKS WITH TWO HARDSTONE INTAGLIO. FORTUNA TYCHE - PORTRAIT OF AN EMPEROR.

2nd century A.D. (carnelian) - 17th/18th century (bloodstone). Gold 19th century.

Stone 11x15 mm; 13x15 mm; Mounting 20x22 mm; Total weight 8,11 gr

A Roman period carnelian intaglio with Fortuna - Tyche holding rudder and cornucopia, with inscription; modern bloodstone intaglio with laureated bust of Emperor facing right. Both gems are mounted in archaeological revival style gold cufflinks, in an old box "Maison Briquet - 29 Place Vendome".

Provenance: U.K private collection

A ROMAN GREEN CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO. NIKE.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

11x15x4 mm

The winged and tunicated figure walks to the left, holding a palm frond, symbol of triumph. Slight wear marks.

Provenance: U.K private collection

A ROMAN GREEN CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO. VOTIVE SCENE.

1st-2nd century A.D.

9x12x3 mm

The female figure is seated in three-quarters on an altar, behind an oinochoe. She holds in a right hand probably a palm branch, in front of an herm. Groundline. The scene probably depicts a Muse. Beautiful colour of the stone and wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN GREEN CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO. LEDA AND THE SWAN.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

8 x 11 x 3 mm

Leda is embraced by the swan, metamorphosis of Zeus to seduce her. Groundline. Traces of the iron mounting on the back of the stone. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market

A LARGE ROMAN GREEN CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO, THE THREE GRACES.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

15x19x3 mm

Beautiful ancient depiction of the Three Graces engraved on a large slightly burnt gemstone. On the back, a small chip. In the foreground, a female figure seen from behind turned slightly in three-quarters with her face in profile to the right. In the background, the other two figures: the one on the left holds ears of wheat and poppy flowers, the one on the right a globe; next to it, two small superimposed altars. Slight wear marks.

Provenance: U.K private collection

A FINE ROMAN BLOODSTONE INTAGLIO. FAUSTULUS WITH THE SHEWOLF FEEDING ROMULUS AND REMUS.

1st century A.D.

12 x 14 x 1 mm

The shepherd is standing with his stick. At his feet the shewolf with the twins Romulus and Remus. In the field, on the right, a tree. Groundline. Mirror polishing. Great subject engraved on a very attractive stone. Wear marks.

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

A ROMAN CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO. EROS AND PSYCHE.

2nd century A.D.

9 x 10 x 2 mm

The winged god is shown standing left with the butterfly at his feet. Groundline. Allegory of Love through the Metamorphosis. Wear marks.

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

A ROMAN ROCK CRYSTAL INTAGLIO. FEMALE FIGURE.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

7 x 9 x 2 mm

The standing female figure is shown with the body turned left and the face turned right. Grounldine. Chip on the edge. Wear marks.

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

A ROMAN CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO. OFFERER WITH A TROPHY.

2nd century A.D.

10 x 13 x 5 mm

Standing with the body slightly in three-quarters pose and the face facing right, her right hand holds offers. Meanwhile her left hand is holding a military trophy. Votive stone. Groundline.

Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market

A LARGE ROMAN CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO. ALLEGORICAL SEA SCENE WITH EROS AND A DOLPHIN.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

17 x 20 x 3,5 mm.

In the foreground, an Eros swims alongside a dolphin; in the background a ship (of which the main mast with sails can be seen). Allegorical composition referring to Love and the uncertainties of sea trips. Beautiful milky bluish color, like sea water. Large size. Wear marks.

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

A ROMAN AMETHYST INTAGLIO. SEATED MALE FIGURE.

2nd century A.D.

9 x 11 x 5 mm

A young man seated, naked on rocks. With his right hand he holds a stick. Probably Hermes. Groundline. Wear marks. Nice color of the stone.

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

A FINE ROMAN AMETHYST INTAGLIO. SEATED HERMES WITH ATTRIBUTES.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

10 x 12 x 3 mm

The young naked god is seated right on rocks, his left leg bent and his right foot on rocks, he holds the caduceus in his left hand. Groundline. Very fine details and attractive color of the stone. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market