A Hellenistic Gold Finger Ring, circa 3rd-1st century B.C.
Auction Closed
June 24, 04:50 PM GMT
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
the separately cast oval bezel decorated in high relief with a bust of the Aphrodite, wearing a diadem, her mantle falling from the left shoulder, a small bust of winged Eros on her right shoulder.
Length 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm.)
Mathias Komor (1909-1984), New York, inv. no. E822
Maurice Tempelsman, New York, acquired from the above on February 14th, 1976
then by descent
Elegant in conception and refined in execution, this Hellenistic gold ring exemplifies the jewelry traditions of Ptolemaic Egypt while utilizing the inherently classic motif of Aphrodite with her son, Eros. Its oval bezel, modeled in raised relief rather than intaglio, reflects the sculptural approach of Alexandrian workshops, where Greek and Egyptian techniques converged. For a discussion of this ring type see M. Y. Treister, Hammering Techniques in Greek and Roman Jewellery and Teurotics, Boston and New York, 2001, pp. 190-191. For similar examples depicting busts of Athena, see https://dma.org/art/collection/object/5184745 and
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1897-0726-5.