Jewellery, Objects of Vertu, Silver and Watches

A 16th - 17th century intaglio carnelian inset ring, the oval carnelian bezel intaglio (chipped) carved to depict the profile of a beaded male bust, possibly the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius (Roman emperor AD 138 to 161), collet set within a gold mount with toothed white enamel decoration to the sides, to a band distorted but supporting traces of white and orange enamel, weight 3.78gm. £700-£900

This lot is a detectorist find and is registered with the The Portable Antiquities Scheme. The find number is CORN-D06924.

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PAS Website

This ring was discovered by a metal detectorist near Mevagissey, Cornwall in July 2021. It is recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database, ref: CORN-D06924 and disclaimed as Treasure, ref: 2021 T542.

In her book Rings, Symbols of Wealth, Power and Affection, Diana Scarisbrick notes that in the 16th century “enamel - thick black, white and blue with spots of translucent colour, is applied to the hoop, shoulders, sides and back of the bezel”.

The band of this ring would have been completely enamelled in white, with small irregular raised areas in the shape of flames, one of which still retains its original orange translucent enamel. The survival of orange enamel is unusual.