Bidspirit auction | ROMAN AMETHYST INTAGLIO WITH AN

ROMAN AMETHYST INTAGLIO WITH AN EMPRESS IN A GOLD RING - Ca. AD 50 - 100. An amethyst intaglio depicting a portrait of an empress, possibly Agrippina the Younger, mother of Emperor Nero and a prominent figure in the Julio-Claudian dynasty. The intaglio is oval in shape and presents a detailed left-facing profile of Agrippina, showcasing her distinctive hairstyle, which includes waves and locks gathered at the back. The facial features are finely rendered, including a straight nose, small lips, and a rounded chin. The neck is elongated, with faint incisions suggesting drapery or attire. The intaglio is mounted in a gold ring. The bezel is plain and smoothly contoured, closely following the oval shape of the gemstone. The shoulders of the ring are wide and gradually taper into the band, which is undecorated and rounded. Size: D:17.53mm / US: 7 1/4 / UK: O; Weight: 6g Provenance: Private UK collection; previously acquired on the Swiss art market in the 1990s.