Roman
A Roman red jasper intaglio of Neptune on a dolphin set in an antique gold ring, circa 2nd - 3rd century AD, the mount 19th century
Jasper, gold
Ring size: Q; length of intaglio: 14mm
The oval gem is carved with a marine scene of Neptune, the god of the sea holding a trident and riding astride a dolphin. The gem is set in a...
The oval gem is carved with a marine scene of Neptune, the god of the sea holding a trident and riding astride a dolphin. The gem is set in a 19th century gold ring with elegant foliate open work on the reverse.
Provenance
English private collection, mounted in the 19th centuryLiterature
The subject comes from marine thiasoi which are scenes of the sea god Neptune depicted in a triumphal wedding procession with Amphitrite, generally attended by figures such as sea nymphs and hippocamps. Often Amphitrite, Erotes and Neptune are shown seated on the back of dolphins or sea monsters.. For further discussion of the subject and its origins see S. Lattimore, The Marine Thiasos in Greek Sculpture, University of California, 1976.For a winged Erote on a dolphin also in red jasper see Beazley Archive Gem Database no. 3.I.C.45: T. Cades, Impronte dell' Instituto, Libro 3, classe I, C, no. 45.