Description:

Ancient Greece or Egypt, Hellenistic / Ptolemaic & Roman Period, ca. late 3rd to 1st century BCE. This spectacular and wearable gold snake ring features an inlaid garnet stone set in a formfitting bezel, with serpents intertwined in an endless knot. The snake heads display stamped markings for eyes, and tiny granulation embellishes the setting. In the Greco-Roman world, the serpent, known for shedding its skin, symbolized rebirth, fertility, and immortality. Snakes frequently appear in mythological scenes and are associated with deities such as Apollo, the god of healing; Asclepius, the god of medicine; and Demeter, the goddess of harvest and sacred law. Intertwined snakes were not a common form of jewelry in Egypt prior to the Ptolemaic era. Designs featuring serpents reached Greece by the fifth century BCE and subsequently spread to Rome and Egypt. Size of snakes/setting face: 0.58" L x 0.72" W (1.5 cm x 1.8 cm); band opening: 0.78" Diameter (2 cm); US ring size: 8.5; gold quality: 87% to 91.2% (equivalent to 20K+); weight: 5.9 grams.

Provenance: private London, UK collection; ex-Ruskin collection, Oxford, UK, acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#189683

  • Condition: Small nicks to garnet stone. A tiny tear to wire on one side of band. Choice. Some light mineral deposits in recessed areas. Ring is in wearable condition!

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Shipping

SHIPPING LOGISTICS: As a courtesy to our clients worldwide, Artemis Gallery is happy to handle shipping for most lots sold, taking the hassle (and high cost!) out of having to arrange shipping on your own. Shipping costs will be added to your invoice at auction's end based on information given when you registered to bid - we strive to offer the most economical shipping costs to ensure safe transit. Our shippers of choice are DHL for International shipments and UPS for domestic shipments, but we are able to ship via other carriers at the buyer's expense as deemed necessary or by request.

For shipments of oversize items, Artemis Gallery will assist the buyer in working with a third-party shipping provider. For shipments outside of the USA, customs and duties may apply upon entry into said country, and this fee, if any, is the buyer's responsibility. If you have questions about this, please inquire BEFORE bidding.

Items will be shipped only upon receipt of payment in full and will be insured for their full value - no exceptions.

October 25, 2024 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000