Lot 27
Roman, late Republic to early Imperial period, ca. late 1st century BCE to 1st century CE. A finely engraved Roman green chalcedony intaglio depicting a hippocamp - the mythic sea-horse with equine forequarters and coiling fishtail - here rendered in profile beside a boldly upright trident. The maritime subject, elegantly incised, evokes the realm of Neptune and the Roman fascination with sea power, trade, and mythic symbolism. The gemstone is set into a thick silver bezel atop a substantial faceted silver hoop, its wide shoulders and sharply ridged band suggesting both masculine strength and high craftsmanship. The setting, though unadorned by additional ornament, conveys gravitas in its geometry and weight. Size of intaglio: 0.5" L x 0.3" W (1.3 cm x 0.8 cm); of ring: 0.9" L (2.3 cm); US ring size: 7.5; silver quality: 92.5%; weight: 5.8 grams
Hippocamps were popular intaglio subjects, often associated with safe passage, naval prestige, or even personal connections to the military or maritime industries. Their hybrid form - equal parts stallion and fish - embodies the Roman delight in hybrids and the mythic creatures of liminal spaces. The trident, emblem of Neptune himself, reinforces the divine authority of the sea.
The style and scale of this piece suggest its function as a personal seal ring or status marker, worn by an individual of some standing - perhaps a merchant, naval officer, or administrator with ties to the sea. It bridges utility and mythology in a form as enduring as the empire that shaped it.
Provenance: ex-T.F. Holy Lands collection, formed since the 1960s; ex-private UK collection; ex-Vienna, Austria collection, before 2000
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#195367
- Condition: Light surface wear, but otherwise wearable and in very good condition with good detail and form. Age-commensurate patina to silver that can be easily cleaned.
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| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
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| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |