Description:

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE; Europe, Neoclassical period, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. An elegant Roman black chalcedony intaglio of a horse pawing the ground, mounted in a Neoclassical gold ring to be wearable. Horses signified power and military prowess. In addition, they were symbolic of the god Neptune as well as the Roman legions. Size of intaglio: 0.5" L x 0.4" W (1.3 cm x 1 cm); of ring: 1" L x 0.8" W (2.5 cm x 2 cm); US ring size: 7.5; gold quality: 67.2% (over 16 karats); weight: 1.3 grams

Horses also inspired love amongst Romans. For example, the horses of Roman Algeria were renowned, and citizens were passionate about chariot races and hunting. One mosaic found there portrays a race horse with the words, "Win or lose, we love you, Polidoxus." Another famous example comes from Emperor Caligula (r. 37 to 41 CE), who is said to have loved his horse to the point of parody - although modern historians believe that the wild stories about his devotion to Incitatus are the result of Caligula's own humorous quips and Roman chroniclers wishing to portray the emperor as insane. The cavalry rode horses in parades and on battlefields and transported elite citizens when they hunted or traveled.

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 198; 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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#186652

  • Condition: Ancient intaglio set in Neoclassical gold ring to be wearable. Ring and intaglio are intact and in choice condition with impressive preservation of detail to intaglio.

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

Artemis Fine Arts

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