Roman Gold Ring w/ Sardonyx Head of Hercules

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. An opulent gold ring boasting a ribbon-form band and set with an ovoid, sardonyx cameo. The creamy white sardonyx is meticulously hand-carved to portray the head of Hercules (Greek Herakles). Shown at 3/4 view and facing left, the mythological hero displays almond-shaped eyes beneath a heavy brow, a straight nose, and full lips, all perfectly framed by a thick coiffure and beard as a wreath of laurel leaves crowns his head. Size (of ring): 0.9" in diameter (2.3 cm); Size (of cameo): 0.5" L x 0.3" W (1.3 cm x 0.8 cm); Ring size: 7.25; Metal quality: 48% gold, 23% silver; Weight: 1.7 grams

The story of Hercules was a popular one in ancient Rome (with much of it derived, as so many elements of Roman culture were, from Greece - entering Roman culture by way of Etruria). Both Mark Antony and the Emperor Commodus considered him to be a personal patron god. The story of Hercules and the Nemean Lion was retold over and over again, in plays and artistic depictions like painting on vases. As part of his labors, Hercules was sent by King Eurystheus to bring him the skin of a lion that was terrorizing the town of Nemea. Upon discovering that weapons would not work on the beast, he tracked it to its lair and strangled it.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private Newark, Delaware, USA collection, acquired prior to 1981

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#167945
Condition Report: Wearable as shown and constructed in modern times. Cameo is ancient in modern ring setting. A few miniscule nicks to band of ring. Otherwise, intact and excellent with remarkable preservation of detail on intaglio. Accompanied by old ring box.