A hardstone intaglio ring,, by Nathaniel Marchant (1739-1816)

'An Angel' depicting a full length winged classical figure with robes brandishing a palm-branch'
from the painting of Raphael's 'Heliodorus' in the Vatican Museum,
signed 'Marchant. F. Roma', length 2.8 cm, width 1.7 cm, mounted in gold, ring size O

Nathaniel Marchant, the much celebrated gem engraver, was a pupil of Edward Burch. He spent a considerable part of his career (between 1772 -1788) in Rome and was one of the most financially successful engravers of the period. Between 1781 and 1811 his work was frequently exhibited at the Royal Academy, London. In 1789 Marchant was named 'Sculptor of Gems' to HRH Prince of Wales. In 1799 he received the further accolade of being named 'Chief Engraver to his Majesty'.

Literature
Gertrud Seidmann and Robert L. Wilkins, 'Nathaniel Marchant, Gem Engraver', in The Volume of the Walpole Society, London, 1987, Vol. 53, pp. 1, 3, 5-105, cat. 113, as 'An Angel', 1772-88, perhaps c. 1774, Fig. 116
XCII. 'From the painting of Raphael's Heliodorus, in the Vatican.' An avenging figure, brandishing a palm-branch, rushes downward with a menacing gesture.
Signed MARCHANT in the field along the edge of the stone.