Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15

Neo-Classical Hardstone Cameo Gold Ring, c. 1800

$4,850
£3,667.76
€4,201.21
CA$6,796.02
A$7,418.96
CHF 3,906.18
MX$88,870.54
NOK 49,958.55
SEK 45,612.99
DKK 31,384.02

About the Item

This strikingly unique statement ring is a refined Neo-Classical hardstone cameo ring, dating to the late 18th to early 19th century, and depicting an idealized Greco-Roman philosopher or poet in profile. The carving draws directly from Hellenistic portrait prototypes, a visual language revived during the Enlightenment and popularized through Grand Tour culture. The subject is shown with a laurel wreath, full beard, and calm, idealized features—hallmarks of classical “type” portraiture rather than a depiction of a specific historical figure. Such imagery was intentionally symbolic, evoking wisdom, antiquity, and learned authority, and was favored by scholars, collectors, and patrons of the arts during the Neo-Classical period. The cameo is finely carved in a pale hardstone (likely chalcedony or related material), with confident modeling of the hair, beard, and drapery. It is four-prong set in an early 19th-century gold mounting, hand-fabricated with a sculptural, high-profile construction and wire supports characteristic of late Georgian to early Victorian goldsmithing. The mount appears original to the carving and was clearly made specifically for it, rather than adapted later. This ring reads as wearable sculpture—intellectual, restrained, and timeless—equally at home in a serious jewelry collection, a cabinet of curiosities, or a historically informed contemporary wardrobe. This is not a novelty cameo nor a Victorian sentimental piece. It belongs to the intellectual tradition of Neo-Classicism, when classical antiquity was studied, collected, and consciously revived. Its strength lies precisely in its non-specific identity—a timeless embodiment of classical thought rather than a named sitter.
  • Ring Size:
    7.75 US, Resizable
  • Metal:
  • Stone:
  • Stone Cut:
  • Weight:
    9 g
  • Style:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1800
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Northampton, MA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU158917016392

More From This Seller

View All
Diamond Pendant / Brooch, Circa 1940s
Located in Northampton, MA
Ornate, exuberant goldsmithing showcases about 1.20 carats of 42 glittering antique rose-cut diamonds and approximately .85 carats of Old European cut stones in this magnificent, bar...
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Baroque Revival Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Diamond Pendant / Brooch, Circa 1940s
$2,624 Sale Price
20% Off
Free Shipping
Fire Opal Ring Retro Certified 5.5 Carats Circa 1940s
Located in Northampton, MA
A spectacular and utterly unique 14K yellow gold ring from the Retro era (circa 1940s) featuring six cabochons of natural fire opals from Mexico. These gorgeous and highly-prized gems measure from 9.2mm x 6.7mm to 8.8mm x 6mm. They display orange, orange-yellow sand orange-pink coloring. The dazzling gems weigh approximately 5.5 carats. The face of the ring measures 30mm x 28mm, so it's an impressive and bold ring. The interior is marked for 14K gold but there is no maker's mark. Yet the production quality is extraordinary. The gold metalwork is expertly executed and very whimsical and creative. This bold, flashy, and fun ring is a size 7 and you're jeweler could resize it for you. This ring ships with a certificate from Stone Group Labs stating that these are precious fire opals...
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold

Fire Opal Ring Retro Certified 5.5 Carats Circa 1940s
$3,500 Sale Price
20% Off
Free Shipping
18K Ring Intaglio Engraved Sardonyx Depicting Horse, English, Circa 1850
Located in Northampton, MA
This late Georgian / early Victorian 18K rose gold ring holds a rectangular-cut deep brown sardonyx gemstone that has been artfully carved -or etched, rather- to depict a horse trott...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Agate, 18k Gold

Antique Jade Ring
Located in Northampton, MA
This antique 14K yellow gold ring features a bright green cabochon of natural and untreated apple green jadeite jade. Tye stone measures 8.8 x 7.5 x 3.92mm and is translucent and sl...
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Signet Rings

Materials

Jade, 14k Gold

Antique Jade Ring
$3,020 Sale Price
20% Off
Free Shipping
Vintage Gump s White Jade Ring
By Gump s San Francisco
Located in Northampton, MA
Perfectly unisex and exceedingly rare, this is an original Gump's San Francisco jade ring featuring an oval cabochon of natural and untreated white jadeite jade set into a hand-crafted 18k yellow gold mounting. The original Gump's of San Francisco was an iconic retailer known worldwide for their spectacular and always, always untreated natural jade jewelry...
Category

2010s North American Artisan Fashion Rings

Materials

Jade, 14k Gold

Vintage Gump
s White Jade Ring
$4,400 Sale Price
20% Off
Free Shipping
Pearl Necklace Art Deco Circa 1940s Cultured Akoya Pearls Diamond Clasp 21"
Located in Northampton, MA
This 1940's cultured Akoya pearl necklace showcases 73 luminous and absolutely gorgeous Japanese cultured Akoya pearls. Freshly strung o...
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold

You May Also Like

Gold and Hardstone Cameo Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Cameo dipicting bearded man in agate mounted in gold. Size: 7 Weight: 3,9gr.
Category

Antique 1890s Italian Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Gold

Hardstone Cameo Ring 14K Yellow Gold
Located in North Hollywood, CA
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 ...
Category

Antique 1890s English Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Agate, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Georgian Hardstone Cameo Ring
Located in London, GB
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...
Category

Antique 1820s British George III Fashion Rings

Materials

Agate, 18k Gold

Antique Hardstone Cameo Ring
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
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 ...
Category

20th Century European Neoclassical Signet Rings

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Hardstone Cameo Ring
$6,100
Free Shipping
Victorian 14K Hardstone Helmeted Warrior Cameo Ring
Located in Venice, CA
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....
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Agate, 14k Gold

Yellow Gold Hardstone Edwardian Ancient Warrior Ring 14k Carved Cameo Silhouette
Located in Greensboro, NC
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Signet Rings

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold