Antique Gold Cameo Ring Greek Theatre Mask Silenus Hardstone Intaglio Signet

A superb ancient Roman agate intaglio ring. The high-karat gold signet ring is set with an engraved gemstone, known as an ‘intaglio’. It dates from between the 2nd to 3rd century AD and is a fine example of a Romano-British intaglio. The conical-shaped agate gemstone displays various bands of colour ranging from honey brown to greyish-blue. The engraving depicts the bust of a man wearing a helmet, possibly winged which would depict Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, financial gain and communication. In Roman times, people would wear rings with the intaglio of Mercury in hope that the he would protect them and bless them with good financial fortune in their lives. A number of referenced examples of similar ancient Roman conical shaped intaglios reside in notable museums all across the world, from the British Museum to the Louvre. A page with these examples and their sources can be found in the final photos of the listing. Similar examples can also be found in the extensive Alice and Louis Koch collection (items: 234, 235, 241, 301). Again see final images for reference. The gold ring mount is of D-shaped cross-section and a hollow 22K gold construction. The ring has a fantastic smooth silk-like texture when worn. It remains in good overall condition and the intaglio is very secure in the mount. The gold mount dates to the late 18th to early 19th century, and the shape is inspired by ancient Roman ring...

A striking gold ring, dating from the early 20th century. The figural shoulders are adorned with angelic putti motifs, delicately sculpted to depict Eros, the Greek God of love and d...

This exquisite Elizabethan gold ring dates to the mid-16th century (c.1570) and features a circular bezel set with a high-relief cameo of Cupid, delicately carved in white chalcedony...

A superb ancient Roman nicolo intaglio set in a late 18th century gold signet ring. Nicolo intaglios are a particular type of intaglio ma...

Georgian hard stone cameo ring with a an oval shaped cameo depicting the profile of the hero Perseus, who rescued Andromeda & slew Medusa. The ring is a copied from the sculpture by ...

A Georgian hardstone cameo ring, the oval-shaped layered agate cameo, measuring approximately 27 by 17mm, and depicting the finely carved profile ...

Indulge in a superb museum quality Victorian - Belle Epoque deeply carved hardstone Cameo Ring depicting an image of the god Hermes or Mercury in a spectacular high relief carved agate and set in a beautiful and elegant Etruscan Revival setting in 10 Karat Gold. The ring dates to circa 1850-1880. The agate is a stunningly beautiful color. The ring features the most beautifully carved high relief cameo of the Greek God Hermes, known as Mercury to the Romans, with his fabulous face with his winged helmet. His face is an exquisite rendition in the hardstone of the handsome god with his curly hair, elegant face, winged helmet, and wonderful neck and shoulders. I love the way the artist has created his nude form in the cameo. The carving is very deep 3-dimensional design attesting to the extremely fine quality of the work. The setting is beautiful with the repousse adornment of the band in the Etruscan Revival style. Antique hand carved cameo...

Castellani® has selected this Ancient Roman Agate Intaglio for the "Cleopatra" Ring Setting. The intaglio dates to the 3rd to 7th Century. The intaglio is both black and white agate, which is a hard stone and very good for carving. The agate has two layers of color, black on the top and white at the bottom. The agate intaglio is solid and is one piece. The carver was able to use these two color layers to give dimension and detail. The Column and Angel on the left wings are white and the balance is all black. The Carver knew the material he/she was carving and used this to create this very unique scene. The intaglio shows two angels standing on either side of a column/pillar looking at the bust of a man on top of the pillar. The angels are female and male. The bust on the pedestal is of a male. The intaglio is set below the frame. The frame flairs out to a subtle point on the sides and has a flat surface. The "Cleopatra" ring design was a style that Castellani created in the 1860's and was inspired by Ancient Roman rings...