Early Ancient Roman Gold Intaglio Signet Ring Depicting Minerva

A superb ancient Roman agate intaglio ring. The high-karat gold signet ring is set with an engraved gemstone, known as an ‘intaglio’. It dates from between the 2nd to 3rd century AD and is a fine example of a Romano-British intaglio. The conical-shaped agate gemstone displays various bands of colour ranging from honey brown to greyish-blue. The engraving depicts the bust of a man wearing a helmet, possibly winged which would depict Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, financial gain and communication. In Roman times, people would wear rings with the intaglio of Mercury in hope that the he would protect them and bless them with good financial fortune in their lives. A number of referenced examples of similar ancient Roman conical shaped intaglios reside in notable museums all across the world, from the British Museum to the Louvre. A page with these examples and their sources can be found in the final photos of the listing. Similar examples can also be found in the extensive Alice and Louis Koch collection (items: 234, 235, 241, 301). Again see final images for reference. The gold ring mount is of D-shaped cross-section and a hollow 22K gold construction. The ring has a fantastic smooth silk-like texture when worn. It remains in good overall condition and the intaglio is very secure in the mount. The gold mount dates to the late 18th to early 19th century, and the shape is inspired by ancient Roman ring...

A museum quality ancient Roman gold ring, circa 400 AD. This hollow ring is bezel-set with a garnet intaglio of Hippocamp – a fish-tailed horse that w...

Ancient Roman gold ring with Minerva intaglio. Set to centre with an oval hardstone intaglio in a closed back roman set setting, finely engraved with an image of the goddess of wisdom and war, Minerva, who is depicted wearing a helmet and holding a spear and olive branch in a signet ring design featuring a finely raised border and closed backholing, leading to broad trumpeting shoulders which taper to a solid shank. Tested yellow gold, approximately 15.99 grams in weight, circa 3rd-4th century AD. Minerva was the virgin goddess of music...

A fine antique intaglio ring. Likely converted from an antique button or pin. In 14k gold With a carved carnelian cabochon depicting an unidentified Roman hero. Marked 14k to the...

Castellani® has selected this Ancient Roman Agate Intaglio for the "Cleopatra" Ring Setting. The intaglio dates to the 3rd to 7th Century. The intaglio is both black and white agate, which is a hard stone and very good for carving. The agate has two layers of color, black on the top and white at the bottom. The agate intaglio is solid and is one piece. The carver was able to use these two color layers to give dimension and detail. The Column and Angel on the left wings are white and the balance is all black. The Carver knew the material he/she was carving and used this to create this very unique scene. The intaglio shows two angels standing on either side of a column/pillar looking at the bust of a man on top of the pillar. The angels are female and male. The bust on the pedestal is of a male. The intaglio is set below the frame. The frame flairs out to a subtle point on the sides and has a flat surface. The "Cleopatra" ring design was a style that Castellani created in the 1860's and was inspired by Ancient Roman rings...

Ancient Roman gold ring with agate intaglio of Minerva. Set with an oval banded agate intaglio to centre of the standing goddess Minerva with long robes and helmet, holding a winged statue...

Period: 2nd century Dimensions: 9 x 13 mm Ring Size: 7 Weight: 8,30 gr The intaglio of the second century of Roman production, depicts the profile of a male figure wearing a radiate...

ANTIQUE ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SIGNET RING OF A ROMAN WARRIOR An antique carved carnelian intaglio depicting a Roman warrior in profile, finely detailed with helmet and armour. Th...

The jasper intaglio is attributable to the Roman production of the 2nd century and has an engraving depicting Minerva, goddess of wisdom and right war, as well as protector of artisa...

A ROMAN INTAGLIO NICOLO with MINERVA 1ST CENTURY AD Period: I - II century A.D. Top size: 14.5 mm Ring size: 7 Weight: 5.2 gr The carving, from Roman...