Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A striking 21K gold (88%) ring, the shank with pronounced, bulbous shoulders meeting an oval bezel that houses a garnet intaglio of rich fiery red hues and engraved with a schematized depiction of a scorpion. During antiquity, finely carved stones were highly valued, and an intaglio adorned with a scorpion was regarded as a protective amulet given the scorpion's natural defensive mechanisms - its hard exoskeleton as well as its venomous sting. Furthermore, as a symbol of the Zodiac Scorpio sign, it was also associated with water. Because of this, the scorpion was believed to have a cooling effect - hence the power to reduce high fevers. A wonderful work of wearable art that the ancients believed was imbued with the power to cure! Garnet is: 0.2" W x 0.25" H (0.5 cm x 0.6 cm); ring is: 0.95" W (2.4 cm); US ring size: 5.5; total weight: 1.9 grams

Provenance: ex-Johnson collection, Houston, Texas, USA by family descent from a collection formed before 2010

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.

#153429

  • Condition: Slight bending to form but overall in very fine condition. The garnet is in excellent condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

May 21, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% 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