Skip to main content

Genuine Roman onyx intaglio (2nd cent. AD) depicting a "marsus" (snake charmer)

Genuine Roman onyx intaglio (2nd cent. AD) depicting a "marsus" (snake charmer)

View Similar Items

Roman Jasper Intaglio 1st-2nd cent. AD 18 Kt Gold Ring depicting a Horse

Roman Jasper Intaglio 1st-2nd cent. AD 18 Kt Gold Ring depicting a Horse

Genuine Roman Heron Carnelian Intaglio 1st-2nd cent. AD 18 Kt gold ring

Genuine Roman Heron Carnelian Intaglio 1st-2nd cent. AD 18 Kt gold ring

Roman Amethyst Intaglio 1st-2nd Cent, AD 18 Kt Gold Ring Depicting God Apollo

Roman Amethyst Intaglio 1st-2nd Cent, AD 18 Kt Gold Ring Depicting God Apollo

Ancient Roman iIntaglio 1st-2nd Cent. AD 18 Kt Gold Ring depicting Pegasus

Ancient Roman iIntaglio 1st-2nd Cent. AD 18 Kt Gold Ring depicting Pegasus

Ancient Roman Kneeling Athlete intaglio, 1st-2nd century AD.

Ancient Roman Kneeling Athlete intaglio, 1st-2nd century AD.

Ancient 2nd Century AD Roman Dionysus Carnelian Intaglio Gold Ring

Ancient 2nd Century AD Roman Dionysus Carnelian Intaglio Gold Ring

Agate Roman Intaglio 1st-2nd cent.AD 18kt Gold Ring depicting Nike with Snake

Agate Roman Intaglio 1st-2nd cent.AD 18kt Gold Ring depicting Nike with Snake

Roman Carnelian Intaglio Depicting Arione Gold Ring circa 2nd Century A.D

Roman Carnelian Intaglio Depicting Arione Gold Ring circa 2nd Century A.D

Ancient Roman Isis Fortuna intaglio ring, circa 2nd-3rd century AD.

Ancient Roman Isis Fortuna intaglio ring, circa 2nd-3rd century AD.

Ancient Roman signet ring, circa 2nd century AD.

Ancient Roman signet ring, circa 2nd century AD.

Ancient Roman cornelian intaglio of Fortuna, circa mid 2nd-mid 3rd century AD.

Ancient Roman cornelian intaglio of Fortuna, circa mid 2nd-mid 3rd century AD.

Roman Garnet Intaglio (1st cent. AD) depicting a Cupid /Eros 18 kt Gold Ring

Roman Garnet Intaglio (1st cent. AD) depicting a Cupid /Eros 18 kt Gold Ring

Video Loading

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 10

Genuine Roman onyx intaglio (2nd cent. AD) depicting a "marsus" (snake charmer)

About the Item

An authentic Roman intaglio on onyx has been set in this 18 Kt gold ring, which depicts a "Marsus", or a snake charmer, in the act of capturing one. In ancient Rome they were called "marsus", magicians capable of ordering reptiles and making them tame. The ancient Marsi, brave and intrepid warriors who aroused the profound admiration of Rome during the Social War or "Marsicana" (91-88 BC) were equally endowed with magical powers and regarded as famous doctors who treated the sick with medicinal herbs from the surrounding mountains . According to a legend, their ancestor was Marsyas, follower of Cybele, goddess of freedom, a lineage suited to the race that offered fierce resistance to the proud Rome, ruler of the world. According to another, very common version, the Marsi descended from Marsus, son of Circe, sister of Angizia who exercised her magical powers in the woods of Pinna (Luco), in Lake Fucino, where the famous school for learning spells. It is said that the emperor Heliogabalus had large quantities of snakes captured by Marsi charmers and one day ordered them to be suddenly thrown into the Circus, while the population was gathered there to watch the gymnastics matches. Those who were bitten fled in terror, although not all snakes had a fatal bite. Muzio Febonio, (Avezzano, 13 July 1597 – Pescina, 3 January 1663) was an Italian religious and historian of the Marsi, wrote many years later: "In the areas around Pinna (Luco dei Marsi), there is such an abundance of snakes that descend from the mountains to the lake (of Fucino), where they can be seen twisted around the stones like tendrils around the vines, or on the rocky ledges overlooking the lake, basking in the sun. From this mysterious mountain is dug what is commonly called "sealed earth " which has the prodigious power of being an antidote against poison and to keep snakes, mice and insects away from houses and fields. The same author adds that Don Paolo Ciarallo, Archpriest of Bisignano (Bisegna), belonging to the ancient Marsi family, had, like his entire lineage, the power to capture snakes and cure their bites with simple saliva. The members of this family had the effigy of a snake on their shoulder. The snake has a long history and important meanings. Capable of connecting the world of the living with the world of the dead, it belongs to both at the same time: it takes refuge in the humid belly of the earth, in the subsoil and in the dark ravines; but it also finds a home on the branches of trees, among the tangles of roots and bushes, in the water... Its moult makes it a symbol of rebirth, of regeneration, because the fact of "shedding its skin" makes it representative of healing, of the change towards a new life. Its long and secret winter hibernation assimilates it to Mother Earth who in the cold months closes herself in a seemingly endless sleep and then returns to life. A perpetual cycle of death, rebirth and life; of sleep and awakening, of darkness and light. A positive symbol, therefore. And for these virtues it is associated with medicine, with the power to heal others. It is no coincidence that we find it wrapped in soft coils along the staff of Asclepius (renamed Aesculapius by the Romans), the mythical son of Apollo dedicated to the medical art.

Creator:
SERRA
Ring Size:
6.5 US, Resizable
Stone:
Onyx
Stone Cut:
Oval Cut
Style:
Classical Roman
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
2010-
Date of Manufacture:
2023
Condition:
Seller Location:
Roma, IT
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU1922221457402

More From This Seller

Roman Jasper Intaglio 1st-2nd cent. AD 18 Kt Gold Ring depicting a Horse

Located in Roma, IT

This 18 Kt gold ring features an authentic Roman jasper dating back to the first-second century AD. The jasper depicts a grazing horse, which was highly revered in ancient Roman cult...

Category

2010s Italian Classical Roman Signet Rings

Materials

Jasper, 18k Gold

Roman Jasper Intaglio 1st-2nd cent. AD 18 Kt Gold Ring depicting a Horse

Roman Jasper Intaglio 1st-2nd cent. AD 18 Kt Gold Ring depicting a Horse

$8,407

Free Shipping

Genuine Roman Heron Carnelian Intaglio 1st-2nd cent. AD 18 Kt gold ring

Located in Roma, IT

This 18 Kt gold ring features an authentic Roman carnelian (1st–2nd century AD) engraved with a depiction of a heron. Elegant, slender, and unmistakable, herons have long been common...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Signet Rings

Materials

Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold

Genuine Roman Heron Carnelian Intaglio 1st-2nd cent. AD 18 Kt gold ring

Genuine Roman Heron Carnelian Intaglio 1st-2nd cent. AD 18 Kt gold ring

$9,745

Free Shipping

Roman Amethyst Intaglio 1st-2nd Cent, AD 18 Kt Gold Ring Depicting God Apollo

Located in Roma, IT

This exquisite 18 kt gold ring showcases a remarkable Roman intaglio on Amethyst, which dates back to the 1st-2nd century AD. The intaglio depicts the Greek God Apollo, a multifacete...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Signet Rings

Materials

Garnet, Amethyst, 18k Gold

Roman Amethyst Intaglio 1st-2nd Cent, AD 18 Kt Gold Ring Depicting God Apollo

Roman Amethyst Intaglio 1st-2nd Cent, AD 18 Kt Gold Ring Depicting God Apollo

$9,169

Free Shipping

Ancient Roman iIntaglio 1st-2nd Cent. AD 18 Kt Gold Ring depicting Pegasus

Located in Roma, IT

This exquisite 18KT Gold ring features an authentic Roman intaglio dating back to the 1st-2nd Century AD, showcasing the iconic Pegasus, the mythical winged horse, on its front. Craf...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Classical Roman Signet Rings

Materials

Onyx, 18k Gold

Ancient Roman iIntaglio 1st-2nd Cent. AD 18 Kt Gold Ring depicting Pegasus

Ancient Roman iIntaglio 1st-2nd Cent. AD 18 Kt Gold Ring depicting Pegasus

$7,958

Free Shipping

Agate Roman Intaglio 1st-2nd cent.AD 18kt Gold Ring depicting Nike with Snake

Located in Roma, IT

This 18 Kt gold ring, meticulously crafted by our skilled goldsmiths, showcases an authentic Roman two layer agate intaglio dating back to the 1st-2nd century AD. The intaglio depic...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Cocktail Rings

Materials

Agate, Gold

Agate Roman Intaglio 1st-2nd cent.AD 18kt Gold Ring depicting Nike with Snake

Agate Roman Intaglio 1st-2nd cent.AD 18kt Gold Ring depicting Nike with Snake

$10,264

Free Shipping

Ancient Roman coins 2nd Cent. AD Silver Bracelet depicting Five Emperors

Located in Roma, IT

Five authentic Roman coins have been set in this bracelet depicting the following emperors: Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, Septimius Severus. In order, on the back...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Retro Bracelets

Materials

Sterling Silver

Ancient Roman coins 2nd Cent. AD Silver Bracelet depicting Five Emperors

Ancient Roman coins 2nd Cent. AD Silver Bracelet depicting Five Emperors

$4,371

Free Shipping

You May Also Like

Ancient Roman Kneeling Athlete intaglio, 1st-2nd century AD.

Located in London, GB

Ancient Roman Kneeling Athlete intaglio. Set to centre with an oval garnet intaglio in a closed back setting, engraved with a kneeling athlete holding a discus, leading to trumpeting...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Signet Rings

Ancient Roman Kneeling Athlete intaglio, 1st-2nd century AD.

Ancient Roman Kneeling Athlete intaglio, 1st-2nd century AD.

$14,577

Free Shipping

Ancient 2nd Century AD Roman Dionysus Carnelian Intaglio Gold Ring

Located in London, GB

Ancient Roman Dionysus intaglio ring. Set with an oval carnelian intaglio finely engraved with standing figure of Dionysus holding a thrysus and drinking cup, in a closed back rubove...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Unknown Signet Rings

Materials

Carnelian, Yellow Gold, Gold

Ancient 2nd Century AD Roman Dionysus Carnelian Intaglio Gold Ring

Ancient 2nd Century AD Roman Dionysus Carnelian Intaglio Gold Ring

$17,602

Roman Carnelian Intaglio Depicting Arione Gold Ring circa 2nd Century A.D

Located in Firenze, IT

Oval intaglio engraved with a balance surmounted by the profile of Arione, son of Poseidon, flanked by two dolphins. The myth presents Arione as an important cither musician, saved ...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Signet Rings

Materials

Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold

Roman Carnelian Intaglio Depicting Arione Gold Ring circa 2nd Century A.D

Roman Carnelian Intaglio Depicting Arione Gold Ring circa 2nd Century A.D

$9,803

Free Shipping

Ancient Roman Isis Fortuna intaglio ring, circa 2nd-3rd century AD.

Located in London, GB

Ancient Roman Isis Fortuna intaglio ring. Set with an oval cornelian intaglio depicting a full length figure of the goddess Isis Fortuna, holding a ru...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Classical Roman Signet Rings

Ancient Roman Isis Fortuna intaglio ring, circa 2nd-3rd century AD.

Ancient Roman Isis Fortuna intaglio ring, circa 2nd-3rd century AD.

$14,577

Free Shipping

Ancient Roman signet ring, circa 2nd century AD.

Located in London, GB

Ancient Roman signet ring. Set with one central oval hardstone intaglio in a closed back Roman set setting engraved with a lion catching a ga...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Signet Rings

Materials

Yellow Gold

Ancient Roman signet ring, circa 2nd century AD.

Ancient Roman signet ring, circa 2nd century AD.

$17,850

Ancient Roman cornelian intaglio of Fortuna, circa mid 2nd-mid 3rd century AD.

Located in London, GB

Ancient Roman cornelian intaglio of Fortuna. Set horizontally with an oval cornelian intaglio engraved with the profile of Fortuna with crossed cornucopiae (horns of plenty) and the ...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Signet Rings

Ancient Roman cornelian intaglio of Fortuna, circa mid 2nd-mid 3rd century AD.

Ancient Roman cornelian intaglio of Fortuna, circa mid 2nd-mid 3rd century AD.

$14,027

Free Shipping

Recently Viewed

More Ways To Browse

Rolex Oyster Raleigh

Rolex Oyster Royal 1940

Rolex Oyster Royal 4444

Rolex Oyster Royal Shock Resisting

Rolex Oyster Speedking 31mm

Rolex Oyster Speedking 6430

Rolex Oysterdate 1953

Rolex Oysterdate 6094

Rolex Oysterdate Tiffany

Rolex Panna Dial

Rolex Pearlmaster 69298

Rolex President Malachite Dial

Rolex President Tiffany

Rolex Presidential Red Dial

Rolex Prince 971

View All Popular Signet Rings Searches