Lot 189 | A RARE ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A SAPPHIRE INTAGLIO. PORTRAIT OF A NUBIAN NOBLEWOMAN.

Bertolami Fine Art - Piazza Lovatelli 1, 00186 Roma

A RARE ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A SAPPHIRE INTAGLIO. PORTRAIT OF A NUBIAN NOBLEWOMAN.

A RARE ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A SAPPHIRE INTAGLIO. PORTRAIT OF A NUBIAN NOBLEWOMAN.

2nd century A.D.

Stone 8x11 mm; int. diam 17 mm; 8,46 gr

With rounded hoop, flatten within, expanding in broader shoulders and flanked with a beautiful and rare sapphire intaglio depicting the portrait of a young Nubian woman. She is characterized by a proeminent short nose, big lips and a very small chin. The bombed fronthead is surmounted by braided hair assembled on the back in a chignon. She wears a cloak. The choice of the stone express the importance and exotism of this portrait, that can be linked to an important social/political position of the Roman Empire elite inthe Eastern provinces. Presence of restoration and tools on the mounting. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private, acquired on the art market 1980s-1990s