Georgian Hardstone Intaglio Ring Depicting Pan

A Georgian carnelian intaglio ring, the oval carnelian measuring 20 x 17mm, seal engraved with the head of Zeus Ammon, depicted in profile with ram’s horn, ...

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

A Georgian carnelian intaglio ring, the oval cornelian measuring 21 x 18mm, seal-engraved with a classic male head, bearded and in profile, in a yel...

A Roman intaglio gold hardstone ring, the oval shaped rose-quartz measuring 1.4 x 1.1cm, deep engraved with the profile of an Emperor wearing a laurel w...

The portrait head, facing right, with short hair and clean shaven, in a later ring mount, ring size 8 length 29mm, width 16mm

Cameo dipicting bearded man in agate mounted in gold. Size: 7 Weight: 3,9gr.

Sard intaglio of Athene holding Nike. The “large” intaglio is set in 15 ct gold ca 1820. Measurement of bezel:19 x 17 mm Size 7

A very unusual antique gold ring set with a carved brown and white hardstone cameo depicting the theatrical comic mask of Silenus, the Greek mythological old rustic god of wine-making and drunkenness. The ring was made in the late 19th century and carries French control marks for 18K gold, whilst the cameo is probably Italian and made slightly earlier, circa 1800. Silenus was a companion to the wine god Dionysus, and suitably he was a notorious consumer of wine, usually drunk and supported by satyrs or carried by a donkey. Silenus was described as the oldest, wisest and most drunken of the followers of Dionysus, and was said to possess special knowledge and the power of prophecy when intoxicated. He presides over the other satyrs and is related to musical creativity, prophetic ecstasy, drunken joy and drunken dances. Silenus was usually depicted as a jovial old man, bald yet bearded, with a pot-belly, thick lips and snub-nose. The masks worn to play him in theatre really emphasised these features, as you can see with this cameo carving Theatre was a key part of ancient Greek culture. The theatrical masks worn by the actors, known as ‘prosopon’, served various purposes. They enabled individual actors to play multiple roles (or genders) in the same performance; the exaggerated expressions helped define the character being portrayed; they helped spectators in the back rows to tell the characters apart. This particular masked as mentioned before is a comedic Silenus, please see final photo for other examples of Silenus masks in museum collections. UK size N 1/2, US size 7 4.84g 18K gold French ‘tête...