Description:

Roman, Republic period, ca. 1st century BCE; Europe, Neoclassical period, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A stunning amethyst intaglio featuring Bacchic imagery set in a Neoclassical gold ring to be wearable. Boasting a translucent hue of lilac, the amethyst displays a convex face with the image of a panther - an animal associated with Bacchus (Greek Dionysus) the Roman god of wine - striding left atop a thyrsus, the fennel-stemmed scepter of Bacchus. In addition to the imagery, the amethyst stone itself is another reference to the god. Romans believed that the stone was colored amethyst by Bacchus and thus offered protection against drunkenness. The splendid intaglio is set in a gold ring with trifurcated band and an arching, openwork shoulder. Size of intaglio: 0.5" W x 0.4" H (1.3 cm x 1 cm); of ring: 0.9" L x 0.8" W (2.3 cm x 2 cm); US ring size: 6.25; gold quality: 90.6% (equivalent to over 21 karats); weight: 2.5 grams

Provenance: ex-Dr. Corinne Bronfman estate, Washington D.C., USA, acquired via descent; ex-Marjorie Bronfman collection, Montreal, Canada, acquired prior to 1978; ex-Sotheby's London, United Kingdom, Catalogue of the Story-Maskelyne Collection of Ancient Gems, the Property of W.E. Arnold Forster, Esq., 4-5 July 1921, lot 186; ex-William Arnold-Forster (1886-1951), Cornwall and London, United Kingdom; ex-M.H. Story Maskelyne (1823-1911), Wroughton, Wiltshire, United Kingdom

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#186683

  • Condition: Ancient amethyst intaglio set in a Neoclassical gold ring to be wearable. A few very light scratches to intaglio; imagery still very clear and not affected. Some natural internal striations to amethyst. Otherwise, intact, excellent, and wearable with impressive remaining detail.

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July 18, 2024 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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