A roman orange glass paste intaglio, mounted on an ancient gold ring. Head of Hercules.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.
Intaglio 12x14 mm ; ring internal size 15x19 mm ; 3,70 grs

The hero is facing left and is characterized by a thick beard and tight shorthair. Well executed work, inspired by greek hellenistic models. Attractive brown-honey color of the bezel, surrounded by a twisted edge. Slight signs of wear. The same torsion motif was used for the ring-shaped rod, which ends at the back of the golden bezel with two curvilinear bifurcations (forming four half-moons, a motif inspired by Etruscan jewelery, see Gerard Nicolini, Techniques des ors antiques, La bijouterie ibérique du VIIe au IVe siècle, vol. 2, pl. 79 - p. Excellent state of preservation.

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U.K. private collection

Estimate: GBP 800 - 1200