LOT 2066

Roman Style Solid Gold Ring with Portrait Gemstone

19TH-20TH CENTURY A.D.

1 in. (5.87 grams, 25.14 mm overall, 19.14 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)).

Comprising a rhomboid hoop and inset an amethyst cabochon, with intaglio portrait bust of a king or god (Herakles?) looking right.

From a private family collection formed since the early 19th century, thence by descent.
Property of a New Zealand legal professional.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12330-223720.

Cf. for the original Greek prototype of portrait Spier, J., Ancient Gems and finger rims, Malibu, 1992, fig.234 (banded Heracles); for the 19th shape of ring cf. Chadour, A.B., Ringe/Rings, Die Alice und Louis Koch Sammlung/The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume II, Leeds, 1994, fig.1158; for the neoclassical portrait Scarisbrick, D., Wagner, C., Boardman, J., The Beverley Collection of Gems at Alnwick Castle, The Philip Wilson Gems and Jewellery Series, London, 2016.

The engraved head probably is depicting a Greek king or a Roman emperor from the Antonine Dynasty of the 2nd century A.D. The style of engraving does not assist with making a firm identification, but a cameo with a similar subject is in the Guy Ladriére collection and the head is attributed to Emperor Hadrian (Scarisbrick, Wagner, Boardman, 2016b, no. 40). The subject was extremely popular in modern times, and identification with Heracles is also possible.