Lot 31A
Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A powerful god of sea and storm strides across this luminous green stone - this Roman gold ring features a finely carved chalcedony intaglio of Neptune, bearded, nude, and commanding. The god faces left, stepping forward with one foot braced on a rock and his upper body leaning slightly onto the bent knee, suggesting motion held in a moment of measured stillness. His right arm hoists the unmistakable trident over his shoulder, while his left hand may cradle a small dolphin - a subtle nod to his dominion over the sea. The richly colored green chalcedony, set within a thick, smoothly contoured gold hoop, glows with depth and polish. Neptune's muscular form and classical beard are delicately modeled despite the gem's small scale. The rock beneath his foot lends balance and a touch of narrative grounding, a visual anchor that enhances the figure's gravity. Size of intaglio: 0.5" L x 0.4" W (1.3 cm x 1 cm); of ring: 1" Diameter (2.5 cm); US ring size: 10; gold quality: 87.43% (about 21 karats); weight: 6.9 grams
The trident, angled behind him, identifies the god with swift certainty - ruler of waves, tempests, and all creatures that stir beneath. Maritime imagery such as this held strong appeal for Roman citizens engaged in seafaring life, from merchants and naval officers to coastal elites. A ring like this may have served not only as an emblem of status but as a talisman of divine protection. Its engraved face would leave a lasting impression in wax or clay - a mythic seal of personal identity.
The ring's bold yet elegant construction, with its solid gold form and smoothly inset gem, typifies Roman craftsmanship at its refined peak. Neptune, often shown in sculpture and mosaic, appears here with startling intimacy, a portable deity bound to the hand of his devotee.
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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#195334
- Condition: Some minor nicks and abrasions to chalcedony and light indentations to gold, but otherwise intact and in excellent overall condition. Wearable with nice preservation of detail.
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