Bertolami Fine Art - Piazza Lovatelli 1, 00186 Roma
ASTA 267 - GLITTICA ASTA 267 - GLITTICA
Friday 7 July 2023 hours 12:30 (UTC +00:00)
A ROMAN NICOLO INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN SOLID GOLD RING. MUREX SHELL.
A ROMAN NICOLO INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN SOLID GOLD RING. MUREX SHELL.
1st - 2nd century A.D.
Stone 13x15 mm; int. size 18x21 mm; 23,71 gr
A fine and interesting representation of a spiny murex shell. Wear marks. Mucus from the hypobrachial gland of the murex was used to make purple dye, referred to as Tyrian purple or royal purple, as it was primarly used for dying royal garments. Tyre was the main production centre for purble dye in the Mediterranean.
For a similar iconography see: British Museum, 1987,0212.467; Musée du Louvre, Gy 3945;
Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired from Christie's Sale 07/12/2006 (with a different gold ring), with Ariadne Gallery NY, 1980s.