ROMAN REPUBLIC, CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.

Details

A ROMAN CARNELIAN RINGSTONE WITH TWO COMIC MASKS
ROMAN REPUBLIC, CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.
5/8 in. (1.5 cm.) wide; ring size 6 ½

Provenance

M.H. Nevil Story-Maskelyne (1Y823-1911), Wroughton, Wiltshire, acquired 1860-1899; thence by descent to his son-in-law, William Arnold-Forster (1886-1951), Cornwall.
Catalogue of the Story-Maskelyne Collection of Ancient Gems, the Property of W.E. Arnold Forster, Esq., Sotheby's, London, 4-5 July 1921, lot 162.
Landsberg, acquired from the above (according to auctioneer's book).
Marjorie Bronfman (1917-2012), Montreal, acquired by 1978; gifted to her daughter, Dr. Corinne Bronfman (1947-2022), Washington, D.C.; thence by descent to the current owner.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Hannah Fox Solomon Head of Department, Specialist

hsolomon@christies.com +1 212 636 2256

Lot Essay

Both masks represent a comic slave with a bald pate crowned with ivy and berries, with the ties descending outward. This gem is mounted as a ring in a 19th century gold setting; the interior of the hoop is incised 162, corresponding with the Story-Maskelyne auction lot number.

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