Athena Renaissance Cameo Ring
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A rare and important antique gold ring, set with a finely carved Italian Renaissance sardonyx cameo dating to the 17th century, depicting Athena, known as Minerva in Roman mythology. Athena was revered as the goddess of wisdom, strategy, and just warfare; a divine protector of cities and civilisation, frequently shown in armour with helmet and aegis as a symbol of intellect allied with strength.The cameo is expertly carved from layered hardstone sardonyx, with the engraver working precisely between the natural strata of the agate to achieve a striking contrast between the pale relief bust and the warm brown ground beneath. The subject is shown in profile, wearing a richly detailed helmet adorned with the face of a bearded, horned satyr, her long hair flowing beneath. The chest plate is rendered with remarkable clarity and includes a finely articulated rosette motif. The carving displays an exceptional balance of softness and precision; the flesh is subtly modelled while the armour and helmet remain sharply defined. Such refinement and control are seldom encountered in cameos of this period.The carved gemstone is set into a later solid 18K gold mount, designed in the manner of late 18th-century signet rings, with distinctive C-scroll shoulders and a domed, engraved underside. Although the mount is of later date, it was made consciously in this classical style and complements the cameo beautifully. The ring bears the French eagle head hallmark, indicating 18K gold and Parisian manufacture of the setting.The ring weighs 9.61 grams and is UK size M; US size 6.25. The cameo measures 18 × 13mm. Condition is excellent overall; under magnification there is possibly a minute nick to the tip of the nose, hardly visible to the naked eye. Cameos of this age are exceptionally scarce, and survivors often show significant cracking or losses; examples of this quality are increasingly difficult to find.A museum-quality example of Renaissance glyptic art, and among the finest cameo signet rings of its type we have handled.
A rare and important antique gold ring, set with a finely carved Italian Renaissance sardonyx cameo dating to the 17th century, depicting Athena, known as Minerva in Roman mythology. Athena was revered as the goddess of wisdom, strategy, and just warfare; a divine protector of cities and civilisation, frequently shown in armour with helmet and aegis as a symbol of intellect allied with strength.
The cameo is expertly carved from layered hardstone sardonyx, with the engraver working precisely between the natural strata of the agate to achieve a striking contrast between the pale relief bust and the warm brown ground beneath. The subject is shown in profile, wearing a richly detailed helmet adorned with the face of a bearded, horned satyr, her long hair flowing beneath. The chest plate is rendered with remarkable clarity and includes a finely articulated rosette motif. The carving displays an exceptional balance of softness and precision; the flesh is subtly modelled while the armour and helmet remain sharply defined. Such refinement and control are seldom encountered in cameos of this period.
The carved gemstone is set into a later solid 18K gold mount, designed in the manner of late 18th-century signet rings, with distinctive C-scroll shoulders and a domed, engraved underside. Although the mount is of later date, it was made consciously in this classical style and complements the cameo beautifully. The ring bears the French eagle head hallmark, indicating 18K gold and Parisian manufacture of the setting.
The ring weighs 9.61 grams and is UK size M; US size 6.25. The cameo measures 18 × 13mm. Condition is excellent overall; under magnification there is possibly a minute nick to the tip of the nose, hardly visible to the naked eye. Cameos of this age are exceptionally scarce, and survivors often show significant cracking or losses; examples of this quality are increasingly difficult to find.
A museum-quality example of Renaissance glyptic art, and among the finest cameo signet rings of its type we have handled.
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