Lot 17
Roman, Imperial period, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A hero's triumph, captured in stone and flame-hued gold - this Roman gold ring features a finely carved carnelian intaglio depicting Perseus in the act of victorious return, bearing the severed head of Medusa in one hand and a staff with fluttering banner slung over his shoulder in the other. Set within a broad and boldly contoured hoop, the intaglio burns with warm red tones, the carved scene emerging in subtle relief from the translucent surface. Perseus is shown nude, his stance composed and confident. In his left hand he holds the Gorgon's head in a gesture of display or finality. His right arm supports a tall staff that rises behind him, from which a banner or drapery streams backward, suggesting motion and a ceremonial flourish. Size of intaglio: 0.5" W x 0.6" H (1.3 cm x 1.5 cm); of ring: 1.1" L x 1" W (2.8 cm x 2.5 cm); US ring size: 8; gold quality: 86.94% (20.9 karats); weight: 7.7 grams
At the lower left, a round shield rests against the ground - likely the reflective shield given by Athena, the very tool by which he evaded Medusa's deadly gaze. While the details of Medusa's face and serpentine hair are softly rendered, the scene's composition speaks clearly to the narrative: Perseus, armed with divine gifts, emerges not mid-battle but in its aftermath - bearing proof of his deed, a symbol of triumph and transformation.
Carnelian, beloved by Roman lapidaries for its clarity and resilience, was often used in intaglios intended for signet rings. The engraved surface could be pressed into wax to seal letters or mark goods - a personal emblem that fused identity with mythology. This ring, worn on the hand of its owner, would have declared both cultured taste and heroic association.
Such intaglios were not mere adornments, but touchstones of classical learning and power. Echoes of this motif appear across the Roman world, from engraved gems to frescoes, testifying to the enduring allure of Perseus's tale and its resonance with Roman ideals of courage, cunning, and divine favor.
Provenance: ex-T.F. Holy Lands collection, formed since the 1960s; ex-private UK collection; ex-Arthur Jacson collection, 1970s - 1980s
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#195333
- Condition: Some indentations to gold and miniscule nicks to carnelian, none of which affect imagery. Otherwise, intact, excellent, and wearable with impressively preserved detail. Minor area of earthen deposits to gold.
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