Stuart Period Gold Ring with Roman Carnelian Gemstone of Mercury

CIRCA 17TH CENTURY A.D., INTAGLIO 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.

1 in. (2.87 grams, 24.61 mm overall, 18.76 x 21.81 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)).

With intricately engraved shoulders, with floral design, filled with the remains of black enamel; the bezel with a discoid intaglio standing figure of Mercury in profile, with marsupium in one extended hand and caduceus supported in the crook of the other arm with chlamys draped from the shoulder.

Provenance

Ex Peter Szuhay, Mayfair, London, UK.
Private collection, 1980s.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Private collection, London, UK.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13487-262460.

Literature

See Provincia di Venezia, Piccolo mondo antico, la collezione glittica torcellana, Venezia, 2014, p.12.

Footnotes

On such gems, the god is usually depicted standing, with his head in profile and accompanied by his attributes: he holds a purse, a marsupium, in one hand, while the caduceus is tucked under his arm, wrapped in his cloak. Mercury was the patron of commerce and merchants, but also of thieves; the purse represented profit.

CONDITION

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LOT 0372