WEARING ANCIENT JEWELLERY

Here we have stacked three beautiful Roman intaglios that have been set into modern gold rings in a simple and elegant style. We have paired the rings with a 19th century gold bracelet decorated with a variety of eight Roman intaglios.

 

 

All four pieces of jewellery offer a wearable and tangible link to the people just like us who lived in the Ancient world. However, they also show just how modern and playful ancient jewellery can be!

 

 AN ITALIC BANDED AGATE INTAGLIO

SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING
Circa 1st century BC
£2,800

 

 A ROMAN JASPER INTAGLIO

SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING 
Circa 1st-2nd century AD
£2,700

 

Both intaglios depict the 'Dextrarum Iunctio', which is an image of two clasped right hands. It symbolised concordia (harmony), affinity, friendship, and loyalty (Tac. Hist. 1.54.1, 2.8.2) and was often used to signify such between married couples. For other intaglios showing the dextrarum iunctio, cf. Beazley archive gem no. 1043: J. Tassie, Ancient and Modern Engraved Gems, Cameos as well as Intaglios, 1716, 94, no. 1043, tray 17.1, 17.3.

 

A ROMAN CHROMIUM CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO OF AN ACTOR SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING
Circa 1st-2nd century AD
£2,800

 

 EIGHT ROMAN HARDSTONE INTAGLIOS

SET IN AN ANTIQUE GOLD BRACELET
Circa 1st-2nd century AD
£6,500 

 

Including a lapis lazuli intaglio with a military trophy on one side and a bust on the reverse; a pale blue chalcedony intaglio with a standing male figure; a carnelian intaglio with a standing male figure; a pale green chalcedony intaglio with a standing figure of Athena; a yellow jasper intaglio with a lion; a banded agate with a caduceus; a carnelian intaglio with a standing male figure; and a banded agate with a lion.

 

Click here to head to our instagram page to see a video of all four pieces being worn together.