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

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

£ 3,500.00

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

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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...

Provenance

English private collection, mounted in the 19th century

Literature

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.

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