Description:

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE; Europe, Neoclassical period, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A fascinating Roman jasper intaglio of a gryllus set in a Neoclassical gold ring to be wearable. Boasting a rich hue of crimson, the hand-carved gemstone features an elaborate design of 3 faces - a bearded man, a woman, and Silenus - combined with an elephant's tusk and trunk holding a shepherd's crook. The term "gryllus" is often applied to intaglios with fantastic combinations of human heads and animal parts. The term is actually derived from a remark made by Pliny about a painter, Antiphilos, who "painted a figure in an absurd costume known by the joking name of Gryllus" (i.e. a cricket). The interpretation of combination gems is not always clear but there is no doubt that they were considered to have apotropaic or prophylactic properties. Size of intaglio: 0.5" L x 0.4" W (1.3 cm x 1 cm); of ring: 0.9" L x 0.8" W (2.3 cm x 2 cm); US ring size: 6.75; gold quality: 74.1% (over 17 karats); weight: 2.6 grams

Provenance: ex-Dr. Corinne Bronfman estate, Washington D.C., USA, acquired via descent; ex-Marjorie Bronfman collection, Montreal, Canada, acquired March 31,1966; 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 249; 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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#186646

  • Condition: Ancient intaglio set in Neoclassical gold ring to be wearable. Ring and intaglio are intact and in overall excellent condition with nice remaining detail.

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August 18, 2024 11:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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