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A Roman amethyst intaglio set in a late Roman gold ring. Eagle with a cornucopia.

£ 4950

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A Roman amethyst intaglio set in a late Roman gold ring. Eagle with a cornucopia.

£ 4950

Intaglio 7 × 9 mm
Late Roman gold ring with filigree scrolls and granulation
Ring size US 8¼ (UK Q½ / EU 58); gross weight 4.07 g.
Intaglio: Roman Imperial, 1st–2nd century A.D.
Ring: late Roman, 4th–5th century A.D.

Good condition; small losses to the edge of the bezel; wear consistent with age.

A late Roman gold ring, the hoop formed of three wires, the central one beaded, divided on each side of the bezel by granules and flanked by four spiral scrolls of wire; the oval bezel is set with a violet amethyst intaglio.
An eagle stands in profile, its head turned to the left, its wings folded. Before it rises a cornucopia, which curves beneath the bird and opens at the top into fruit. The engraving is fine and careful, the plumage rendered in short parallel strokes.

Historical context – Roman glyptic
Amethyst, the stone that "keeps from drunkenness" in its Greek name, was highly prized by imperial engravers for its deep colour. Engraved gems outlived their first owners: here a 1st–2nd century intaglio was reset three centuries later in a ring of the late Empire, whose wire scrolls and granules announce the goldsmiths' work of the Migration Period.

Iconography and symbolism
The eagle is the bird of Jupiter and the standard of the legions; the cornucopia is the horn of Abundantia and Fortuna. Together they state the imperial promise: victory in war brings wealth in peace. Augustus counted among his achievements the recovery of the standards taken by the Parthians (Res Gestae, 29) — for the Romans, the eagle was the Empire itself. On this small violet stone, conquest and abundance are held in a single image.
Old private european collection 
English private collection, purchased on the english art market in the 2000's

Each piece of jewellery is delivered with an authentification certificate signed by Bianca Massard and Gabriele Vangelli de Cresci experts, including additional documentation if existing and exhaustive description of the piece.
Pictures are part of the description and show state of conservation of the item. For additional pictures please contact us. (see contact section)

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ThePackengers, specialized in the packaging and transport of works of art and collectibles, already collaborates with the largest auction houses as Drouot, but also with galleries, fairs, antique dealers, decorators and e-marketplaces.
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Each piece of jewellery is delivered with an authentification certificate signed by Bianca Massard and Gabriele Vangelli de Cresci experts, including additional documentation if existing and exhaustive description of the piece.
Pictures are part of the description and show state of conservation of the item. For additional pictures please contact us. (see contact section)

Shipping and pick-up at the store options can be chosen during check out.

Our exclusive delivery partner is ThePackengers.
ThePackengers, specialized in the packaging and transport of works of art and collectibles, already collaborates with the largest auction houses as Drouot, but also with galleries, fairs, antique dealers, decorators and e-marketplaces.
See our Country List
Shipping Terms and Conditions.
Privacy Policy ThePackengers.

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