Lot 53B
Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A gorgeous, banded agate intaglio of a crab set in a dazzling gold ring. Boasting natural hues of vanilla, almond, and cream, the convex intaglio features a slender, piecrust bezel as it projects dramatically outward from the smooth ring band, which tapers at the opposite side. The flat face of the stone is hand-carved with a nearly symmetrical crustacean, depicted veristically with claws extended before him. In Greek and Roman mythology, crabs were typically associated with Cancer, or Karkinos in Greek, a giant crab that attacked Hercules on Juno's orders when he was fighting the Hydra of Lerna. Hercules kills the crab, crushing it under his foot. Cancer is then rewarded for his efforts by Juno who turns him into a constellation. Size of intaglio: 0.4" L x 0.3" W (1 cm x 0.8 cm); of ring: 0.9" L x 0.9" W (2.3 cm x 2.3 cm); US ring size: 3.5; gold quality: 85.28% (equivalent to 20 karats); weight: 5.7 grams
Provenance: ex-Davis collection, Houston, Texas, acquired before 2013 from various auction houses in London and New York
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.
#153725
- Condition: A few miniscule chips to piecrust bezel, as well as some minor nicks to band. Otherwise, intact, excellent, and wearable. Great preservation of detail on intaglio. Small encrustations in recessed areas.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer
Shipping
8. IN-HOUSE SHIPPING: All buyers will receive an invoice detailing their purchases, sales tax (if applicable), buyer's premium, and shipping/insurance charges. Items will be shipped only upon receipt of payment in full and will be insured for their full value. We are currently experiencing shipping delays due to staff shortages, please allow up to 15 days for shipping after payment is received. If you prefer to work with a third-party shipper, we can assist with recommendations.
**Please note, we are currently unable to ship to Australia, Germany and Switzerland due to customs clearance issues. If you are in one of these countries, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase.*
**For shipments outside of the USA, customs and duties may apply upon entry into said country; this fee, if any, is the buyer's responsibility. Also, please be aware that Artemis Gallery will NOT falsify customs value on any international shipments - what you pay is what we declare, no exceptions. There are a small number of international countries we cannot ship to. If you have questions about this, please inquire BEFORE bidding**
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
| 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 |