Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A beautiful and wearable ring of a petite size made from 97.5% gold (equivalent to 22K+). The slender shank gradually widens to form the broad shoulders and ovoid bezel on top. Within the bezel is a translucent, crimson-hued garnet intaglio bearing the incised image of a recumbent bull facing to the left with its head reared to showcase its majestic horns. Bulls and their symbolic likeness have a significant history throughout the ancient world. The bull was central to the Roman's cult of Mithras with their central tenant of tauroctony, the sacred slaying of the bull. Size (ring): 0.7" W x 0.8" H (1.8 cm x 2 cm); (intaglio): 0.6" L x 0.4" W (1.5 cm x 1 cm); quality of gold: 97.5% (equivalent to 22K+); total weight: 6.3 grams; US ring size 1.5

Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities, New York, New York, USA, acquired 1970s to 2000s

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#158998

  • Condition: Wearable as shown. Minor abrasions and indentations to ring shoulders and shank, with small nicks to intaglio surfaces, otherwise intact and very good. Beautiful patina to gold ring and great preservation to incised intaglio imagery.

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Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

July 28, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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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