Antique Heavy Chased Gold and Hardstone Signet Ring

–Stone(s): – (1) Natural Genuine Hardstone- Round Cut - Set - Layered Black White Color - 20.3mm (approx.) Material: Solid 14k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 18.39 Grams Overall W...

A very unusual antique gold ring set with a carved brown and white hardstone cameo depicting the theatrical comic mask of Silenus, the Greek mythological old rustic god of wine-making and drunkenness. The ring was made in the late 19th century and carries French control marks for 18K gold, whilst the cameo is probably Italian and made slightly earlier, circa 1800. Silenus was a companion to the wine god Dionysus, and suitably he was a notorious consumer of wine, usually drunk and supported by satyrs or carried by a donkey. Silenus was described as the oldest, wisest and most drunken of the followers of Dionysus, and was said to possess special knowledge and the power of prophecy when intoxicated. He presides over the other satyrs and is related to musical creativity, prophetic ecstasy, drunken joy and drunken dances. Silenus was usually depicted as a jovial old man, bald yet bearded, with a pot-belly, thick lips and snub-nose. The masks worn to play him in theatre really emphasised these features, as you can see with this cameo carving Theatre was a key part of ancient Greek culture. The theatrical masks worn by the actors, known as ‘prosopon’, served various purposes. They enabled individual actors to play multiple roles (or genders) in the same performance; the exaggerated expressions helped define the character being portrayed; they helped spectators in the back rows to tell the characters apart. This particular masked as mentioned before is a comedic Silenus, please see final photo for other examples of Silenus masks in museum collections. UK size N 1/2, US size 7 4.84g 18K gold French ‘tête...

Seldom encountered hardstone cameos require more time & skill to be carved, hence they are more valuable (than their shell counterparts), highly desirable & sought after. ~ This...

Cameo dipicting bearded man in agate mounted in gold. Size: 7 Weight: 3,9gr.

We really love hard stone cameo rings and this is perhaps the nicest we have had to date. The ring mount is crafted from 18 karat yellow and rose gold and has been rub over set with ...

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Circa 1870s, 22k. This classic signet ring is set with a fine intaglio-cut carnelian decorated with an elegant figure. Meticulously made in a 22k yellow gold mounting featuring orna...