Lot 83E
Rare Phoenician Gold Swivel Ring w/ Egyptian Scarab
Rare Phoenician Gold Swivel Ring w/ Egyptian Scarab
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Ancient Mediterranean, Phoenicia, ca. 400 to 250 BCE. A compelling fusion of ancient artistry and modern wearability, this ring centers on an Egyptian steatite scarab set within a richly detailed Phoenician gold bezel. Once part of a swivel ring, the original setting dates from approximately 400 to 250 BCE and is composed of high-purity 81% gold (19.4 karat). Today, the ancient elements have been preserved and adapted into a contemporary rose gold ring mount of 55% gold (13.2 karat), transforming this layered relic into a wearable treasure. The bezel is elaborately adorned with granulated motifs and crowned at the center with a modern red glass inlay, its vivid hue drawing the eye to the amulet's symbolic heart. Size mounted scarab: 0.7" L x 0.4" W (1.8 cm x 1 cm); of ring: 1.2" L x 0.9" W (3 cm x 2.3 cm); US ring size: 10.75; Phoenician gold quality: 81% (about 19.4 karat); modern rose gold quality: 55% (about 13.2 karat); weight: 6.4 grams
The surrounding goldwork retains its original ancient form, with beaded borders and geometric ornament that echo the cross-cultural elegance of Phoenician craftsmanship. The steatite scarab, an enduring symbol of rebirth and protection in ancient Egypt, would have carried deep amuletic meaning and was widely adopted by neighboring cultures, including the Phoenicians.
Phoenician jewelers, known for their technical sophistication and cosmopolitan flair, frequently blended artistic traditions from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Cyprus, and the Levant. This ring encapsulates that eclectic heritage, bearing witness to a dynamic web of trade and influence that spanned the Mediterranean. While the scarab invokes Egyptian metaphysical beliefs, the gold mount reflects Phoenician prestige and stylistic adaptability. This singular piece is more than an accessory - it is an artifact of cultural exchange, religious symbolism, and artisan ingenuity, reborn for the modern age while preserving the voice of the ancient world.
Provenance: private Rumson, New Jersey, USA collection, gifted to present owner in 2018; ex-private USA collection, gifted in late 1980s to early 1990s; ex-private USA collection, acquired in France at an antique shop between Paris and Fontainebleau in the late 1960's
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.
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#195871
- Condition: Ancient scarab set in an ancient gold bezel with a modern red glass inlay, mounted on a modern rose gold ring for wearability. Some wear and chipping to scarab, as well as losses to inlays of gold flowers and indentations to gold. Otherwise, wearable with nice detail. Accompanied by custom ring box.
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