Lot 75A
Roman Gold Ring with Agate Intaglio of Mercury
Roman Gold Ring with Agate Intaglio of Mercury
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Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A finely crafted 21 karat gold ring bearing an agate intaglio of a striding male figure, possibly the god Mercury. The deity moves confidently to the right, carved with subtle musculature and garbed in a short cuirass and a broad-brimmed petasos - the traditional traveler's hat often associated with shepherds, hunters, and Mercury himself. In his right hand he holds what appears to be an animal, likely a goat or ram, its form compressed beneath his grasp. His left hand grips a curved implement, perhaps a club, knife, or sacrificial tool. The finely carved intaglio is set within a raised, ovoid that crowns the ring's face with quiet authority. The solid gold hoop narrows gently and meets at the shoulder in a split ridge design, lending elegance and strength to the form. Size of intaglio: 0.4" L x 0.3" W (1 cm x 0.8 cm); of ring: 1" L x 0.9" W (2.5 cm x 2.3 cm); US ring size: 6.5; gold quality: 87.5% (21 karats); weight: 4.5 grams
Mercury - or Hermes in the Greek pantheon - was revered as a divine messenger, patron of commerce, and guide of souls. Yet this figure may also represent a mortal hunter or soldier idealized in heroic terms, his accessories chosen as emblems of status and virtue. Whether talismanic, commemorative, or simply luxurious, this ring preserves the aesthetic and symbolic priorities of the Roman world: craftsmanship, mythology, and material wealth joined in a single wearable artifact.
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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#195335
- Condition: Some scratches to intaglio, but imagery is still clear. Otherwise, intaglio and ring are intact, wearable, and in excellent overall condition.
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| 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 |