Description:

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE; Europe, Neoclassical period, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A wonderful stone intaglio hand-carved with the image of a janiform gryllus formed from the combined heads of Silenus and a maenad, all set in a Neoclassical rose gold ring to be wearable. The stone boasts a slight nicolo effect with natural scatterings of white inclusions that nicely complement its apricot hue. The term "gryllus" is often applied to intaglios with fantastic combinations of human heads and animal parts. The term is actually derived from a remark made by Pliny about a painter, Antiphilos, who "painted a figure in an absurd costume known by the joking name of Gryllus" (i.e. a cricket). The interpretation of combination gems is not always clear but there is no doubt that they were considered to have apotropaic or prophylactic properties. Size of intaglio: 0.6" L x 0.4" W (1.5 cm x 1 cm); of ring: 1" L x 0.9" W (2.5 cm x 2.3 cm); US ring size: 6.75; gold quality: 40.9% (over 9 karats); weight: 3.5 grams

Provenance: ex-Dr. Corinne Bronfman estate, Washington D.C., USA, acquired via descent; ex-Marjorie Bronfman collection, Montreal, Canada, acquired March 31,1966

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#186648

  • Condition: Ancient intaglio set in Neoclassical ring to be wearable. Ring and intaglio are intact and in overall excellent condition with good remaining detail.

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

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$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
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