Description:

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A dazzling gold ring of over 21 karats featuring a lapis lazuli intaglio of a male head facing left. The deep cobalt blue of the lapis is beautifully contrasted by the lustrous gold, while the male head is shown in profile, displaying full lips, an aquiline nose, and a thick, crown-like coiffure. Lapis is the Latin word for "stone" and lazuli is taken from the Persian word for "sky" or "heaven," so this is a "stone (of/from) heaven." Lapis enjoyed great popularity in the late Roman and Early Byzantine periods as its rich purple-blue color was associated with royalty. Size of intaglio: 0.6" L x 0.5" W (1.5 cm x 1.3 cm); of ring: 1.2" L x 1" W (3 cm x 2.5 cm); US ring size: 9; gold quality: 91.23% (equivalent to over 21 karats); weight: 6.2 grams

Provenance: private London, United Kingdom collection; ex-private Austrian collection, formed in the 1990s on the European art market

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#187416

  • Condition: Some minor chips to gold around intaglio as well as chipping to intaglio, though imagery is still clear. A few indentations and nicks to ring body, but otherwise, wearable with a very nice presentation. Light encrustations in recessed areas.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

July 9, 2024 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000