Lot 7
Roman, Republic period, ca. 1st century BCE; Europe, Neoclassical period, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A dazzling banded agate intaglio from the Roman Republic, featuring a hand-carved sphinx and set in a Neoclassical gold ring. The winged female faces left, raising one paw; her feline body shown in profile as she sits upon her haunches, her coiffeur elegantly swept up in a chiffon while magnificent wings span from her shoulder blades. A sinuous snake's tail undulates upwards from her posterior. The gem itself boasts dramatic natural banding in rich hues of chocolate, cream, and mocha, all mounted by a raised gold bezel and a bifurcated band with open shoulders. Size of intaglio: 0.4" L x 0.3" W (1 cm x 0.8 cm); of ring: 1" L x 0.8" W (2.5 cm x 2 cm); US ring size: 7.25; gold quality: 77.9% (equivalent to over 18 karats); weight: 2.1 grams
Although the Great Sphinx of Giza is certainly the most famous, sphinxes have a large place in Classical mythology as well - probably because of the intermixing of Egyptian and Classical culture via trade routes across the Mediterranean. The Greco-Roman version of the sphinx, unlike the male Egyptian one, is the head of a human female, the body of a lioness, the wings of an eagle, and a serpent's tail, all of which seen here.
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 180; ex-William Arnold Forster (1886-1951), Cornwall and London, United Kingdom; ex-M.H. Story Maskelyne (1823-1911), Wroughton, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
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.
#186694
- Condition: Ancient intaglio set in Neoclassical ring to be wearable. Intaglio and ring are intact and choice with impressively preserved detail.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |