Bidspirit auction | ETRUSCAN GEM DEPICTING A HERO

ETRUSCAN GEM DEPICTING A HERO MAKING AN OFFER AT A ALTAR IN LATER HIGH KARAT GOLD RING - Ca. 400 - 200 BC. An engraved banded agate intaglio depicting a nude male figure, likely a hero, shown in profile facing left, advancing towards a flaming altar. The figure holds a vessel laden with offerings. The composition is framed by a fine linear border, and the intaglio is set in a substantial oval bezel of a gold ring with a bifurcated shoulders. Reviewed by Sami Fortune, an ancient jewellery specialist.For similar see: The Smithsonian Institution, Cat. SF.722; The British Museum 1917,0501.359; 1814,0704.2650.Size: D:17.32mm / US: 7 / UK: N 1/2; Weight: 2.7gProvenance: Private London collection; previously in a 1980s Mayfair Family private collection.This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.