Christie’s Antiquities: Ancient Intaglio and Cameo Rings
Gary Roskin –
Roskin Gem News Report –
At the upcoming Tuesday April 9th auction at Christie’s New York, there are a good number of ancient hardstone gem carvings set in gold that have withstood the test of time – many of them being 20, 21, and 22 centuries old! Anthony DeMarco introduces the exhibition in the latest Rapaport Magazine.
Anthony DeMarco –
Rapaport Magazine –
Carved into history: Cameos and intaglios from as far back as the Roman Empire dominate the New York auction.
A collection of nearly 60 engraved gems mounted in gold rings accounts for more than half the 109 lots in the upcoming Christie’s Antiquities auction. The pieces in the single-owner collection, which date back mostly to the ancient world, are set to go under the hammer in New York on April 9, carrying estimates of about $700 to $30,000. The majority fall in the $4,000 to $6,000 range.
Tap here to read DeMarco’s review in Rapaport Magazine
Christie’s
Ancient Art and Antiquities
On 9 April, Christie’s Antiquities sale features a fine selection of select works from across the ancient Mediterranean, including objects from ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian cultures, ranging from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the 3rd century A.D.
The auction is led by an impressive Egyptian Green Schist Votive Cubit Rod for Mery-Ptah, dating to circa 1330-1250 B.C., once in the collection of Édouard Louis Joseph, 1st Baron Empain (1852-1929).
Also presented is a group of ancient and European engraved gems from the collection of Dr. Corinne Bronfman (1947-2022) of Washington, D.C.
This important selection of intaglios and cameos features rediscoveries of gems from the famed Arundel, Marlborough, Story-Maskelyne and Mertens-Schaaffhausen collections. Carnelian, Red Jasper, Beryl, Sardonyx, Chalcedony, Citrine, Garnet, Sard, and glass are the notable gem materials used in these ancient jewels.
Here are just a few of the more important gemstone rings.
A ROMAN BERYL RINGSTONE WITH BACCHUS
CIRCA LATE 1ST CENTURY B.C.
Estimated sale: USD 20,000 – USD 30,000
A ROMAN CITRINE RINGSTONE WITH LUNA
CIRCA 1ST CENTURY A.D.
Estimated sale: USD 5,000 – USD 7,000
A ROMAN BERYL RINGSTONE WITH A GRYLLUS
CIRCA 1ST CENTURY A.D.
Estimated sale: USD 8,000 – USD 12,000
A GREEK GARNET RINGSTONE WITH A PORTRAIT HEAD OF SOKRATES
HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 2ND CENTURY B.C.
Estimated sale: USD 20,000 – USD 30,000
