Handsome Carved Hardstone Intaglio Ring

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...

A stunning, fine and impressive antique hardstone and 18 karat yellow gold intaglio ring; part of our Georgian jewelry collection. This exceptional, fine and impressive ring has bee...

A Georgian hardstone cameo ring, the oval-shaped cameo depicting the profile of a patrician, rub-over set within a yellow gold mount with ridged d...

This exquisite 14k white gold ring showcases a masterfully carved amethyst intaglio, featuring the classical profile of a laurel-crowned figure reminiscent of ancient Roman artistry....

A carved agate intaglio is showcased in this bold signet ring. The "coffee bean" brown agate is reminiscent of tortoise shell, though it is actually a form of quartz. This highly u...

This Hardstone Cameo Ring is done in 14K Yellow Gold. It is done Black Agate with a women in relief wearing Medieval costume. This ring is a rectangle rather than a round or oval ...

Size: 5 1/2 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $60 or Down 1/2 a size for $40 Era: Edwardian Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Hardstone Cut: Carved Cameo Stone No...

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 ...

A Roman intaglio gold hardstone ring, the oval shaped rose-quartz measuring 1.4 x 1.1cm, deep engraved with the profile of an Emperor wearing a laurel w...

This beautiful Victorian 14k gold cameo ring, circa the turn of the century, features the profile of a helmeted warrior carved out of red sardonyx....