Description:

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. This elegant ancient ring is fashioned from a solid gold hoop, tapering gently to a rounded bezel formed of wrapped sheet gold with a subtle twisted-wire border. Set within the bezel is an oval garnet intaglio finely engraved with the head of a male figure, shown in profile with carefully incised facial features and hair. The deep red stone displays a rich translucency, characteristic of almandine garnet widely used in Roman personal seals and jewelry. The ring exemplifies the refined goldsmithing of the early Imperial period, with its light, rounded hoop and softly hammered surfaces. Intaglio rings such as this served both as personal adornment and as functional seals for stamping wax on documents and goods. The classical portrait subject and quality of the engraving are consistent with Roman workshop production of the 1st to 3rd century CE. Size of ring: .875" W x 1.25" H (2.2 cm x 3.2 cm); of intaglio: 0.4" Diameter (1 cm); US ring size: 6; gold quality: 92.4% (about 22.2 karats); weight: 9.7 grams

Provenance: private Dayton, Maryland, USA collection; ex-private F. B. collection, Maryland, USA, acquired between 1990 to 2010

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.

SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)

PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.

#198150

  • Condition: Ring slightly misshapen but wearable, minor chips to edge of intaglio. Intaglio has been reset into the bezel and we can assume it is original but cannot prove such. Both are contemporaneous.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Bidder Can Make Shipping Arrangements, Local Pick-Up, In-House Shipping

February 20, 2026 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Buyer's Premium
$1 - $249,999:
30.00%
$250,000+:
30.00%

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 + $1,000