Lot 263 | A roman carnelian intaglio set in a postclassical gold ring with agate inserted into the bezel. Bust of Bacchus with thyrsus. 1st century B.C. - A.D.

Bertolami Fine Art - Bertolami Fine Art, 1 Harewood Place 1, W1S 1BU Londra

A roman carnelian intaglio set in a postclassical gold ring with agate inserted into the bezel. Bust of Bacchus with thyrsus. 1st century B.C. - A.D.

A roman carnelian intaglio set in a postclassical gold ring with agate inserted into the bezel. Bust of Bacchus with thyrsus.

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

The intaglio shows a male bust facing left and characterized by well-detailed features. His hair adorned by a band with graves rendered by globular elements such as his eye. Along his neck, a wavy lock ending on his shoulder covered by a folded mantle, and attached by a fibula. In front of him, a scepter (also rendered by globular elements) ending with a flower, probably a thyrsum. By the judging the realism of the features, this bust might be the representation of a ruler in Bacchus. The intaglio is inserted in an oval box-setting, surrounded by a banded agate insert on a larger box-setting. The hoop is plain and massive. Wear marks. Unusual and rare type. 

Int diam 20 mm; bezel 18x22 mm; intaglio 9x11 mm; 15,53 gr.