Roman Intaglio ring depicting Messalina
£9,850.00
A roman intaglio ring with the profile of Messalina, 1st century AD.
The finely engraved hessonite garnet dating to the 1st century AD features the left facing profile portrait of the third wife of Emperor Claudius, empress Messalina. Her hairstyle is long with coiling locks.
18K gold, set with a hessonite garnet intaglio.
The Intaglio: Roman 1st century AD
The ring: English, circa 1880
US Size 8
Intaglio dimensions: 16.04 x 12.35
Provenance:
Likely published from the collection of Lord Montague, by James Vallentin in his One hundred and Eight Engravings from Antique Gems, London, 1836. The engraving illustrated in 1764.