Roman

This little cinnamon coloured Carnelian Intaglio is the Roman Goddess Fortuna, facing left and holding a Cornucopia*(her principle attribute) in her right hand, a rudder handle in her left and wearing a rich, many folded robe. Any second century A.D. Roman Londoner (Londinium) who was a gambler or who wished fortune to smile upon him would wear her image, either tied with a cloth around the arm or wrist, stitched into clothing or mounted in bronze or silver as a ring, but never in gold, that was the preserve of Senators and Caesars. I mention London, because it is very possible that the Intaglio was found here in the excavated ruins of a Roman bathhouse, as Roman stones have been found in bathhouses of every country that they occupied. This Gem was mounted in 18 carat Gold and is fully hallmarked for London, date letter for 1919. A brown mineral line running diagonally across the lower part enhances the interesting colour of the stone and the Intaglio dates from circa 200-300 AD

A small 2000-year-old image of Hercules, carved in an oval of black Chrome Chalcedony and now set in a plain Signet Ring mount complete with a Gold lip in order to hide a damaged edge. The back of the Ring is open and if you examine the stone against a strong light, you will see that it is in fact, a very dark green. The deeply carved portrait of the young Hercules is of fine quality and shows him looking to his right, with short curling hair, determined chin and the paws of the Nemean Lion tied at his throat As Herakles, he was the greatest hero of Greek legend and as Hercules to the Romans, he was much admired and revered for his feats, so his images exist from infancy, when he strangled two snakes in his cot to fine bearded portraits of him in old age. Hercules Intaglio Roman, circa 100A.D. Gold ring mount 20^th century

A Roman Nicolo* Intaglio of a leaping Apollo set in a closed back early Georgian ring mount, the second century A.D. oval stone is carved with the full-length figure of a helmeted Apollo in motion, his short cloak streaming behind him and he is holding aloft a bowl from which a large butterfly is feeding. His staff, the Caduceus with its two entwined snakes, has been thrust into the ground before him. The red Gold mount has curled over shoulders to a Gold ball decoration and slender shank, unmarked and testing as 18ct Gold. Roman Intaglio circa 2^nd century A.D. Gold ring mount circa 1750.

*Grinding away the white layer of a black and white agate, until the top is almost a transparent grey/blue creates a Nicolo, and then the stone is carved.

To find one Roman Hardstone Cameo is rare, to find four all together is all but impossible, but here they are! The four little carvings are all of Cupid and I read that he was the god of Erotic Love and was adored by the Romans who built temples in honour of this mischievous son of Venus. The person from whom I purchased the Cameos told me that they came from a Wiltshire family in whose possession they had remained for generations. I would think that the carvings would have been brought back to England, amongst other trophies, as “mementoes of the grand tour”. (See “things you should know,” number 17 on the Menu page.) These Cameos were probably excavated by villagers from an ancient temple site dedicated to Cupid and the Cameos had probably been placed on an alter or thrown into a well, together with others, as a tribute to Cupid and accompanied by a fervent Love request to him. The Gold mounts with sunburst design on the reverse are button cups and date from the mid 18th century and the Cameos were probably stitched on a blouse or waistcoat (vest) and were converted to Rings at a later date. No’s 1, 2, and 4 seem to be by the same hand, but no. 3 is converted in a different manner, with wider shoulders and uneven resetting of the Cameo. I think that all four Rings have been worn together, (as my photo shows) because the ring sizes seem to be similar. The four cameo's date from the 1^st-2^nd Century AD

"I am offering them at a single price for all four, should someone wish to keep and wear them together".

No. 1 Cupid is looking to his right, well carved and with good features, Cameo condition: Good

No. 2 Cupid is looking to his left, head fractionally lowered, nose slightly worn, otherwise features well carved. Cameo condition: As described.

No 3 Cupid is looking slightly more to his left and a little downwards, the Ring shoulders are wider than the other Rings and the setting edge of the Cameo is uneven, otherwise Cameo condition: Good

No 4 Cupid is looking to his left, he has large eyes, rounded cheeks and an elf like ear and very curly hair and a slightly worn nose. Cameo condition: As described.

A Roman Nicolo Intaglio, of a grazing cow, standing in profile to the right with associated ground line. With a magnifier you can see that the animal is feeding on straw or long grass and has a certain graceful posture, not often observed in such a large animal; I am told that women who wished to conceive wore images of the cow and it was the sacred animal of Hera, wife of Zeus. This early carving is set in a 19^th century Gold ring mount of small and elegant proportions. Roman Nicolo Intaglio circa 100 AD, gold ring mount, circa 1820

I am delighted to offer on my website, four powerful Intaglio images of Roman Emperors which were carved either in their lifetimes or shortly after their deaths, as in the instance of Titus.

The four portraits, I am told, come from a late 19th century German collection that came onto the open market a few years ago.

I am now very interested to trace and purchase Intaglios of the other Roman Emperors.

Augustus was the first Roman Emperor (reigned 27 B.C.- 14 A.D.) and probably the best.

This impressive Carnelian Intaglio Portrait of Augustus shows him facing right and crowned with laurel. This fine Intaglio is the largest Roman Emperor Ring Stone that I have at present and is a significant addition to this section of my website. There is a small Gold plate at the top left which hides a small chip, which does not detract from this superb image. The stone was most likely carved during Augustus lifetime and would date it to approximately 10 A.D.

An absolutely thrilling Amethyst Intaglio of the infamous Roman Emperor Nero, (reigned 54-68 A.D.) who may have played the fiddle as Rome burned and almost brought the Empire to ruin, but also declared himself to be a God which is evidenced by the Corona in his hair, which makes me think that the stone was carved in the latter part of his reign, possibly between 64-68 A.D. and would have been worn or carried by one of his close circle, a lover, political ally or honored general. It is interesting to speculate that Nero himself may have touched this stone as a mark of favour to the wearer.

This fascinating Amethyst is set in a 20^th century closed back Gold ring mount, unmarked and testing as 18 ct. Gold.

Item Number: RI 025

Titus was only Emperor for two years, A.D. 79-81; so Intaglios of his image are rare as a consequence.

This stone was probably carved during this brief period or shortly after his death and is an outstanding example of Gem carving. The stone is an interesting pale green/kaki agate with a slight translucency and fine banding. The Intaglio is deeply carved and Titus is facing right and wearing a diadem and he has a broad forehead, aquiline nose, strong chin and jaw muscles. I am told that Titus was an immensely popular Emperor and was greatly mourned by the Romans. The Intaglio has an excellent polish and is in good condition and mounted in a closed back ring mount, unmarked and testing as 18ct Gold . Intaglio, Circa 80 A.D. 20^th century Gold mount.

Condition: Good Weight of Ring: 11.6g Dimensions: 12mm x 14mm

Size: UK: J ½ USA: 5 Japan: 9

Price £3,600

Click on Images to Enlarge

Item Number: RI 024

A small richly coloured Carnelian Intaglio of Hadrian, AD117-138

One of the most influential and pivotal Emperors in Roman history. He was also active here in the United Kingdom and we still have Hadrian’s Wall as his lasting monument.

The Intaglio is in a later open backed ring mount, unmarked and testing as 18 carat Gold and the Laurel Crowned Hadrian is facing right and the carving and character achieved on such a small gem is quite remarkable. This is a small finger size ring and would suit a discerning person with small hands. Gold Ring mount early 20^th Century, Carnelian Intaglio circa 200AD

Condition: Good Weight: 4.5g Dimensions: 10mm x 12mm

Size: UK L ½ USA: 6 Japan: 11

Price: £1,900

Click on Images to Enlarge

Item Number: RI 023

Double Divine Protection in the engraved facing images of Zeus Serapis and Isis, the former being the Greek God of Gods and the latter being the Egyptian Goddess of Magic and Life.

The powerful images are carved Intaglio on an oval piece of luminous dark red/brown Carnelian and the artist has taken great care to show the Ammonite, the symbol of the thunderbolt, in the hair of Zeus and the Cobra and Horns on the head of Isis. This fine Magical Stone is set in an unmarked Gold Regency closed back ring mount of circa 1800, Roman Carnelian Intaglio circa 200 A.D.

Condition: Good

Weight: 4.4g Dimensions of top: 15mm x 17mm

Size: UK K USA: 5 ¼ Japan 10

Price: £2,900

Click on Images to Enlarge

Item Number: RI 022

A fine Nephrite Koranic Al Rad seal, later mounted in Gold as a Ring with a stirrup shaped shank. This stone may well have been worn by an important official at the court of Shah Jehan and been witness to the building of the Taj Mahal. The reverse has a further inscription which I am told is the ayat-ul-kursi.

Gold Ring Mount, Circa 1800 Mughal Nephrite plaque Circa 1650

Condition: Good

Weight: 12.8g Size of seal: 30mm x 25mm

Size: UK: P USA: 8 Japan: 16

Price: £ SOLD

Click on Images to Enlarge

Item Number RI 021

A well marked octagonal bloodstone in dark green with red mottling, carved in four divided sections and covered in beautiful Persian Script which I can not translate. Reza tells me that the central section says 'MOHARRAM' which is the first month In the calendar and the date is 1851 in the Western calendar. The surrounding script is in old Nastaliq which was mainly used for poetry, but he does not know how to read it. Many years ago I had a Persian Intaglio in Cornelian which i had translated in the British Museum which told the story of Noah leaving the Ark on Mount Ararat and re-populating the world. I hope this poem is something equally as beautiful. This Bloodstone Intaglio has a strong Octagonal ring mount, probably English, unmarked and testing as 18 ct Gold, and of the same period as the Intaglio.

1851

Condition: Good

Weight: 6.3g

Bloodstone: 13mm x 13mm

Size UK: M ½ USA: 6 ½ Japan: 13

Price: £1,400

Click on Images to Enlarge

A Pink Carnelian and Gold Ring from the Sassanian Empire, which existed in what is now Northern Iran, from approximately 200 A.D. to 600 A.D. The Carnelian, which Christopher tells me was originally Red and becomes Pink by being buried for over a thousand years in alkaline soil, is Intaglio carved with two animals, back on back and as yet I have no information of the meaning of the subject except it would have had an important interpretation for the early owners of this Ring. The closed back Gold mount, with the single Gold bead at one side is totally original and is the only complete Ancient Ring on my website. I have seen these Rings in Museums and some have this little Gold knob on one side but the reason for it is unclear. The Intaglios of this period and from this region are very simply carved with just a few lines creating their subject and look nothing under a loupe and very little better with the naked eye, but when pressed into wax or Blue Tac they look remarkably like a contemporary design by Picasso or one of his school and the subjects become immediately apparent. The bezel has a few little abrasions but the general condition is good and to find an original Gold Ring of this period is rare. Sassanian circa 300 A.D.

A White Chalcedony Ring, the stone carved with the full-length image of Hercules walking, carrying his club over his left shoulder and wearing the full Nemean Lion skin with paws and trailing tail. The bezel has a fine channel set edge to narrow shoulders and a slender elegant shank, unmarked and testing as 18ct Gold . The Intaglio, Roman circa 200 A.D. The Ring mount English circa 1810

A Roman red Jasper intaglio of a warrior armed with a shield and spear, riding a horse at full gallop with two dogs running along side. The stone is mounted in the up finger position and although small, one can see with the naked eye, every detail that the gem engraver carved nearly two thousand years ago. The gold mount is late 19^th century and stamped AHS and 18ct. The intaglio 1^st-2^nd century AD

Chnoubis is a most potent and mysterious magical image. He? is carved on a piece of two-colour bloodstone, the vein of which must have disappeared many centuries ago. Who was Chnoubis? There are people who speculate he was an extra terrestrial and taught the ancient Egyptians their building skills and star knowledge assisted by his foot soldiers, the Anguipedes. He is usually portrayed as a lion-headed serpent, but in this rare example, Chnoubis has a humanoid face with an aurora which has eight thorny points and the body of a serpent. There is a 'K' and an 'X' adjacent to Chnoubis' head and tail and there is a repaired chip near the tail. The reverse of the stone is engraved with the Greek letters 'CEME CEIAA MΨ'. Romano Egyptian, 1st Century AD, later Gold ring mount.

^NB I am told that this Intaglio ring was once in the collection of the Earl Of Southesk, James Carnegie, in the mid 19^th Century

Venus with arms! A first century AD Roman brown Banded Agate intaglio of Venus, standing naked, holding her tresses, in a Georgian closed back Gold ring mount. The intaglio would have been a Grand Tour memento. The banded agate approximately 1,900 years old and the Gold ring mount circa 1780. Two tiny chips at setting edge at five o'clock.

If this stone intaglio is a portrait of Joseph of Aramathea, then it is a very rare find indeed. The material is right, being Welsh Jasper and stylistically it is also correct. Having heard of Joseph but knowing little about him, I consulted the Internet. Here briefly is what I learned and although most of it is not factual, it does seem to have a continuity to it that cannot be ignored. Joseph of Aramathea, who was a Jew and a member of the Sanhedrin, asked Pontius Pilot for Jesus Christ's body in order to bury it in his (Josephs) own prepared tomb which he did. It is also recorded that Joseph was a wealthy metal merchant who travelled frequently to England with the Phoenicians who were the principal sea farers at that time. The reason to travel to England were the Cornish tin mines, a very valuable metal at that time, which made great wealth for the owners and investors. The speculative information that I learn

ed was that Joseph brought Jesus to England in his early twenties and is referred to as his Uncle Joseph. It is of course entirely possible that Joseph as either a friend or relative, did indeed visit England with Jesus. Then I read about William Blake's (1757/1827) poem 'Jerusalem' which is now one of England's most stirring Anthems after being set to music by Sir Hubert Parry (See Inset). It seems that William Blake did indeed believe that Jesus had visited England. Of course, the story doesn't end there and it continues with Joseph returning to England after the death of Jesus Chr

ist, bringing a Chalice or Vessel from the last supper (which became known as the Holy Grail) and burying it in Glastonbury, England and thrusting his staff into the ground on Glastonbury Tor, which grew into the Glastonbury Rose which thrived until the English Civil War when it was destroyed. Although I am not English by birth I know of these last two stories and have always considered them to be a part of English history. The story of the Holy Grail continues with the legends of King Arthur and Camelot six centuries later, probably soon to be proved totally authentic. If I sell this stone, and should it be purchased by a non UK institution or person, an export license would have to be obtained which I would undertake to acquire. Ideally, I would like the portrait to be purchased by a Museum or similar who would be able to display this face that has been lost for 2,000 years.

An oval, light coloured Carnelian Intaglio. I am told that the engraved figure is Demeter, Goddess of the fruitful Earth, sister of Zeus, seated nursing her daughter Persephone. Roman, 200 AD. The Gem is in an early 19th Century ring mount, the outer shank of which is stamped with the 'Vatican' or 'Rome' mark, a Bishops mitre above crossed keys. The mount, Italian, circa 1820, the gem, Roman, circa 200 AD

A small Roman Red Sard Intaglio of a Salamander eating a vine leaf. It may be a Magical stone, the Greeks and Romans believed that the Salamander could walk through fire unscathed, so it may be a protective talisman in this context. The Intaglio is set in a mid 19^th century ring mount that would fit a child or a young persons finger and the Gold shoulders are dented with use, but the ancient stone has survived except for a minor blemish on the edge at four o’ clock, now hidden by the rub over Gold setting. Red Sard Intaglio circa 100 A D. Gold mount circa 1850

A Roman Bloodstone Intaglio set in a Regency period Gold Ring Mount. The Grand Tour memento Bloodstone engraved with figure of Hermes to the left and to the right the figure of Mars. Both Gods are standing with their torsos to the front with their heads looking left. Hermes is wearing his winged helmet and carries a Caduceus in his right hand and holding up a sickle in his left hand. The helmeted and bearded Mars holds a spear in his left hand and has a shield resting on the ground which is supported by his right hand. This is an excellent Intaglio of the 1^st/ 2^nd century A.D. and I have no hesitation in recommending it to someone who would like to own and wear a quality piece of this period. Roman Intaglio circa 1^st / 2^nd century A. D. English Ring mount circa 1810

A Parakeet carrying (or stealing) an ear of wheat, carved in a small carnelian two thousand years ago. It must have had a meaning for the gem engraver and the person who commissioned it. It may be a family story or a magical stone or an allegory, but whatever its origin, it makes a sweet little Ring Stone. Somebody’s ancestor liked it and brought it back to the British Isles in the late 18^th century and had the Intaglio set in a closed back ring mount and because of its small finger size, I suggest they gave it to a younger sister or family friend. An interesting and charming subject. Roman Intaglio circa 1^st century A.D. English Ring Mount circa 1790

This stone is not an Intaglio, but is such an Ancient Magical Jewel that I must place it in this section. I have never seen an Agate that looks so like a piercing Eye, with all the veining and a white Pupil, not black. The stone has probably been in human use for at least four thousand years and could well have been worshipped. Because the Eye is set in a simple 18^th century mount, I must conclude that it was war booty, from which country I have no idea, except I can envisage this stone in the forehead of some distant idol. The EYE is contained in a closed back Gold setting with divided Gold wire shoulders with a Gold bead at the divide and double Gold wire shank. The EYE circa 2000 B.C, Gold mount circa 1720.

Here are two interesting Antique Rings that I was able to buy recently straight from a Bank Vault in Miami, Florida. The owning family have lived in the Florida Keys since the 1920’s and were friends of the Deerings of Viscaya and I understand that these Rings were purchased on a trip to Europe in the early years of the 20^th century. The first is an oval Antique Carnelian Intaglio of what I think is Vulcan forging armour at his anvil, with Pan standing and playing his pipes and behind him at left is a column topped by an oil lamp. The Intaglio is set in an early 19^th century Gold Ring Mount and there is a small chip at the edge at 2 o’clock . The Intaglio Roman circa 200 A.D. The Gold Ring mount, English circa 1810

The second Ring from this source is also an oval Hardstone Intaglio which is usually referred to amongst dealers, as Red Sard but you are unlikely to find that term in a book on Gems. The Intaglio is of two horned animals and a central tree and I have no idea of the interpretation of the subject but here are two totally differing opinions: The Intaglio is Roman 2^nd century B.C. and the animals are goats at a fig tree, reason for the subject not known. Opinion 2 The Intaglio is Babylonian, 3 centuries earlier and the animals are Sacred Ibex at a myrrh tree. This opinion said it is a protective Intaglio. The stone is in a good condition English Gold Ring mount that dates from circa 1800