Vintage Recycled Romanesque Intaglio Ring

An intriguing vintage statement unisex ring; a custom piece made circa 1970's to rehome this antique Georgian era glass intaglio which has a Romanesque inspiration and shows a woman gifting flowers to a man with three cherubim crouching behind. . 

Possibly manufactured by James Tassie (1735-1799) we're unsure of the meaning of this piece, but it may possibly be Echo and Narcissus. Either way, it is a striking and memorable talking point and of great interest to both historians and collectors. 

Tassie worked in the 1770s manufacturing glass and glass-paste cameos and intaglios in the Neo Classical Roman style popular at the time. It could perhaps be identified in his 1791 catalogue of subjects.

The deep aubergine hued intaglio has been set in a very simple but striking 9ct gold setting, to allow the story of the piece to take centre stage.

The engraving of semi-precious gemstones with images or inscriptions on only one face was a major luxury art form in the ancient world and a very significant one in subsequent later periods. In antiquity, although carved gemstones were collected out of interest, they were more often created as seals and were mounted in rings. BADA 

Ring Size: T or 9.5 as is but some adjustment possible

Metal: 9ct yellow Gold with a workshop stamp '9CT' inside the band

Measurements: the intaglio measures 16mm lengthwise and the band tapers to 7mm at the back.