Small Ancient Roman Medusa Carved Cameo Gold Ring 2nd Century Gem Carving

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

A superb and rare ancient Indus Valley etched carnelian bead ring. The conical shaped carnelian gemstone in the centre dates from the middle of the third millennium BC. Deep orange in colour with white patterned etchings, these beads originate from the Indus Valley civilisation (parts of modern day Pakistan and India). These carnelian beads were alkaline-bleached to develop the geometric white patterns visible on the exterior. The technique was first developed by the Harappans of the Indus Valley civilisation, and vast quantities have been found in archaeological sites all across the Indus Valley. The conical stone has been set in a later high-karat gold ring mount, the hoop is hollow and of circular cross section which widens towards the bezel. This design and shape is typical of ancient gold rings...

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...

A superb and unusual glass cameo ring made in Paris, circa 1960. The ring is rather large in scale, crafted in 18K gold and weighing a seriously impressive 29 grams. In the centre rests a bright orange “pate de verre” (moulded glass paste) cameo with a frosted glass effect to the front and a faceted underside. The cameo depicts the bust of a woman in classical style wearing a wreath of flowers and grapes. The ring head features an openwork gallery which takes the form of circles which are enamelled in black. There is a white and black enamelled floral motif on each shoulder with chased crosshatching in typical Renaissance style. This impressive ring is particularly unusual due to the fact that incorporates a variety of revival styles into the design, for example the 17th century style shoulders with the Art Deco era frosted glass classical bust. UK size Q, US size 8 1/2 29g, French hallmarked 18K gold...

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...

Ancient Roman carnelian signet ring. Horizontally set with a single oval carnelian plaque in a closed back rubover setting featuring an engraved full length male figure, probably Mar...

A hardstone cameo depicting a swan in octagonal gold collet settings. Top size 18mm x 13mm Size 4 1/2 Weight: 11.83gr. In Greek art, beginning at least in the Archaic period, Aphrod...

The stone agate onyx two layers of gray and blue, the head of Medusa is carved in high relief, with the face turning slightly to the left. Dimension of the cameo: 1,2cm x 1,2 cm Siz...