An etruscan banded agate scarab mounted in an ancient gold ring. Gryphon.
intaglio 10 x 15 x 8 mm; ring internal size 18 x 20 mm; gr. 6,46
The winged mythological creature is facing left with the beak open and the front part of the body lowered in a dynamic pose. Dotted frame around the figure and on the edge of the insect. Use of globular elements. The refined ring-shaped hoop is formed by the interweaving of two thread-like elements of different thickness and ends near the scarab with a spiral twisted pattern. Excellent state of preservation. Attractive variety of agate brown banded with honey tones and two white bands with blue reflections. Mirror polishing of the bezel. Slight wear marks on the stone. Precious specimen. Intact. Rare. For comparisons: G.M.A. Richter, Catalog of the engraved gems. Greek, etruscan and roman. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, n. 207; J. Boardman, Intaglios and Ring. Greek, Etruscan and Eastern from a private collection, p. 109 n. 185. This lot is listed in an invoice from parisian gallery Mythes et Légendes by Michel Cohen in 1986, mentionning that the piece was formerly in Arthur Sambon (1867-1947) collection.
4th century BC.