White Gold Ring w/ Roman Ruby Intaglio of Eagle & Snake

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd CE. A dazzling ruby intaglio of ovoid form skillfully hand-carved with the image of an eagle holding a snake and set in a modern white gold ring to be wearable. Boasting a brilliant hue of crimson, the impressive intaglio shows the noble bird in flight with both wings spread above him and his tail flared behind him as he grasps the sinuous body of his serpentine adversary with his sharp talons. His petite head bows slightly, perhaps to peck at his prey. This exciting scene is encircled by an inscription containing both Greek and Latin characters. A lovely band of incised symbols adorns the white gold setting of the intaglio, featuring minimalist images of waves, an eye, a flower, a quadruped, a bird, an ox head, an ankh, and others. Size (ring): 0.8" L x 0.6" W (2 cm x 1.5 cm); (intaglio): 0.4" L x 0.3" W (1 cm x 0.8 cm); gold quality: 89% (equivalent to 21K+); weight: 5.1 grams; US ring size: 6

Dramatic depictions of eagles battling serpents were commonplace throughout the Roman empire. These images of the most powerful of birds fighting the most dangerous of reptiles held an almost-cosmic, allegorical significance of the struggle between good - the eagles - and evil - the serpent. Here, as in most examples, good is seemingly victorious.

The eagle by itself was also a highly symbolic animal among the Roman military and was a great symbol of pride and victory in the eyes of the legions. Known as "aquila" in Latin, the eagle was a representation of honor, victory, and cohesiveness within a legion. One member of each legion was referred to as an aquilifer, or "eagle-bearer," as it was their primary duty to carry and protect that legion's designated eagle standard. If ever an aquila was lost or stolen, it was the primary obligation of the aquilifer to go to any lengths to recover the standard and see to its safe return. Losing an eagle standard was considered a grave omen for its respective legion and would typically lead to distrust and paranoia among the legionaries. To quote a piece of historical fiction set in Roman Britain entitled The Eagle of the Ninth (Rosemary Sutcliff, 1954), "Eagle lost, honor lost; honor lost, all lost."

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: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#159458
Condition Report: Intaglio is ancient and set in modern white gold ring to be wearable. Interior of ring has 6 indentations. Some light abrasions and softening of detail to intaglio. Otherwise, intact and excellent.