Roman Portrait Intaglio Ring, Philosopher Bust, Neoclassical Gold Setting
Ca. 1–300 CE. Gem: Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st–3rd century CE; mount: Europe, Neoclassical period, ca. 19th century CE. A carved Roman agate intaglio engraved with the portrait of a bearded man, later set in a 19th-century European gold ring. The ovoid [color] agate is engraved with a left-facing bust of a mature man, his beard carefully articulated and his drapery falling in controlled folds across the shoulder. Portraits of this kind often represented philosophers, statesmen or idealized Roman citizens. The gem was remounted in the manner of Grand Tour collectors, who set ancient intaglios in contemporary gold rings to be worn and displayed. Size of intaglio: 0.4" L x 0.3" W (1.0 cm L x 0.8 cm W); of ring: 1.1" L x 1" W (2.8 cm L x 2.5 cm W); weight: 6.7 grams; US ring size: 8.25.
The agate, banded and polished to a soft sheen, provides tonal contrast that enhances the depth of the engraved lines.
In antiquity, intaglios like this served as personal seals as well as markers of identity, pressed into wax to authorize documents and worn as signs of education and rank. Centuries later, during the 19th century revival of Classical taste, ancient gems were avidly collected and remounted, prized as direct physical links to the ancient world. The present example is set within a European gold ring of Neoclassical design, the shoulders enriched with stylized classical ornament that frames the gem without competing with it.
The gold mount shows gentle wear consistent with age, its warm tone complementing the cool darkness of the agate. Together, gem and setting form a dialogue across time, uniting Roman portraiture with the 19th century fascination for antiquity, and offering a wearable artifact that has moved seamlessly from empire to salon, from seal to symbol.
Provenance: private London, United Kingdom collection; ex-private German collection; ex-private C. E. Schultze collection, Munich, Germany, late 1980s
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #200933
Condition
Roman intaglio mounted in a Neoclassical ring to be wearable. Some slight bending to ring body, but otherwise intact and excellent with good detail to intaglio.
Ca. 1–300 CE. Gem: Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st–3rd century CE; mount: Europe, Neoclassical period, ca. 19th century CE. A carved Roman agate intaglio engraved with the portrait of a bearded man, later set in a 19th-century European gold ring. The ovoid [color] agate is engraved with a left-facing bust of a mature man, his beard carefully articulated and his drapery falling in controlled folds across the shoulder. Portraits of this kind often represented philosophers, statesmen or idealized Roman citizens. The gem was remounted in the manner of Grand Tour collectors, who set ancient intaglios in contemporary gold rings to be worn and displayed. Size of intaglio: 0.4" L x 0.3" W (1.0 cm L x 0.8 cm W); of ring: 1.1" L x 1" W (2.8 cm L x 2.5 cm W); weight: 6.7 grams; US ring size: 8.25.
The agate, banded and polished to a soft sheen, provides tonal contrast that enhances the depth of the engraved lines.
In antiquity, intaglios like this served as personal seals as well as markers of identity, pressed into wax to authorize documents and worn as signs of education and rank. Centuries later, during the 19th century revival of Classical taste, ancient gems were avidly collected and remounted, prized as direct physical links to the ancient world. The present example is set within a European gold ring of Neoclassical design, the shoulders enriched with stylized classical ornament that frames the gem without competing with it.
The gold mount shows gentle wear consistent with age, its warm tone complementing the cool darkness of the agate. Together, gem and setting form a dialogue across time, uniting Roman portraiture with the 19th century fascination for antiquity, and offering a wearable artifact that has moved seamlessly from empire to salon, from seal to symbol.
Provenance: private London, United Kingdom collection; ex-private German collection; ex-private C. E. Schultze collection, Munich, Germany, late 1980s
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #200933
Condition
Roman intaglio mounted in a Neoclassical ring to be wearable. Some slight bending to ring body, but otherwise intact and excellent with good detail to intaglio.
