Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE; Western Europe, probably England or France, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A magnificent carnelian intaglio exhibiting the incised, left-facing portrait of Mercury (Greek Hermes), the patron god of financial success, commerce, poetry, and eloquence. The dignified portrait depicts the youthful deity with a strong jawline and fleshy cheeks, a piercing stare, a neatly arranged coiffure, and the top portion of his caduceus staff emanating upwards from behind his back. Set inside a 57.64% gold ring, this is made to be worn! Size (intaglio): 0.49" L x 0.37" W x 0.09" H (1.2 cm x 0.9 cm x 0.2 cm); (ring setting): 0.60" L x 0.80" W x 0.84" H (1.5 cm x 2 cm x 2.1 cm); gold quality: 57.64% (equivalent to 12K+); weight: 2.0 grams; US ring size: 7.5

Ovid wrote that Mercury carried Morpheus's dreams from the valley of Somnus to sleeping humans. For these reasons, he came to be seen as the "keeper of boundaries," forming a bridge between the upper and lower worlds. He also fulfilled that role by acting as a messenger for the other gods. According to Caesar, he was the most popular god in Britain and Gaul, where he was syncretized with the Germanic god Wotan and considered to be the inventor of all arts.

Provenance: ex-Dr. Corinne Bronfman estate, Washington D.C., USA, acquired via descent; ex-Marjorie Bronfman collection, Montreal, Canada, acquired March 31,1966

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#186560

  • Condition: Wearable as shown and constructed in modern times. Carnelian intaglio is ancient; ring setting is modern. Minor nicks and abrasions to intaglio, otherwise intact and excellent. Wonderful preservation to intaglio details.

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August 18, 2024 11:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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