ROMAN MERCURY CARNELIAN INTAGLIO IN GOLD RING

Ca. 1st-2nd century AD
An oval-shaped carnelian intaglio engraved with a nude male figure depicted seated atop a pile of rocks. He holds a stick or staff in his left hand. Probably the god Mercury (Greek Hermes). Groundline. The intaglio is set in a high carat (20-22ct), possibly later gold ring of a broad hoop tapering gently to the back. For a similar example, see Catalogue of Engraved Gems - Greek, Etruscan and Roman - G. M. A. Richter, 1956, Plate XLI, 288.
Size: D:17.12mm / US: 6 3/4 / UK: N; Weight: 12.3g
Provenance: Property of a London Ancient art collector, formerly in a Mayfair private collection of Mr. P. S., formerly acquired on the UK art market since the 1970s. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.
Estimate: GBP 2000 - 3000