A roman amethyst intaglio set in a large ancient gold ring. Bust of Artemis.

3rd century A.D.

Stone: 12 x 16 mm; ring diam. 18 mm; 12,22 gr.

With a large hollow hoop rounded without and flatten within, the broad shoulders ending with an oval bezel set with a large amethyst intaglio. The bust depicts the goddess Artemis facing left. She is characterized by a long neck and a rounded face with a proeminent chin. The semi-opened mouth is surmounted by a straight short nose. The large eye is framed with heavy lids and eyebrow and the pupil is incised. The short fronthead is surmounted by long weavy hair ending behind the neck with two large locks. The head adorned with a diadema. The bust is draped with an globular attach (fibula), behind, bow and arrows. The features treatment especially the eyes, nose and chin are characteristics of the near eastern workshops. The intact gold mouting shows traces of deposits and patina. Nice intense color of the stone.



U.K private collection, London.