CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C. - 1ST CENTURY A.D.; SET IN A 19TH CENTURY RING

The convex oval sapphire is engraved with a profile head of a bearded man wearing the pilos cap, representing the hero Odysseus. The legendary Greek hero was best known as the protagonist of homer's epic, the Odyssey. He was the King of Ithaca, renowned for his intelligence, cunning, and resourcefulness, traits that earnt him the favour of the gods - particularly Athena. He played a crucial role in the Trojan War, devising the idea of the Trojan Horse, which leads to the Greek victory. His journey home after the war was filled with trials, monsters and divine challenges, and spanned ten years, testing his endurance, loyalty and leadership. Throughout his adventures, Odysseus embodied the qualities of a classic epic hero, navigating both physical and moral landscapes to return to his family and reclaim his kingdom.

Sapphires in Roman times were much admired for their colour - from a very light to a rich deep blue. With increased trade via India it is likely that most Roman sapphires came from Sri Lanka or possibly Bactria. More commonly used as either beads or plain ring stones, engraved sapphire intaglios are much rarer. For a late Roman sapphire engraved with a female head see J. Boardman & C. Wagner, Masterpieces in Miniature, London, 2018, no. 144. For two more sapphire intaglios see acc. nos 42.115 and 42.1008, in The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore.