Description:

Roman, Republic period, ca. 1st century BCE; Europe, Neoclassical period, ca. 19th to 20th century CE. A delightful Roman agate intaglio depicting Cupid riding atop a hippocamp (or hippocampus), all set in Neoclassical gold ring to be wearable. Facing right, the winged deity sits in a semi-recumbent position holding a whip in one hand and reins in the other as the mythical creature prances over the waves, its long fish tail coiling behind. Images of Cupid astride a sea beast, like this example, may have been seen as a metaphor for the wild ride of love. Natural creamy, white banding horizontally crosses the black gem, adding variation to the composition. Size of intaglio: 0.7" L x 0.4" W (1.8 cm x 1 cm); of ring: 0.9" L x 0.8" W (2.3 cm x 2 cm); US ring size: 5.5; gold quality: 57.4% (over 13 karats); weight: 2.1 grams

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

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#186573

  • Condition: Ancient intaglio set in Neoclassical ring to be wearable. Some light patina to ring, but both ring and intaglio are intact and in excellent condition. Remarkably preserved detail to intaglio.

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

Artemis Fine Arts

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