Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

A 16th century agate intaglio of Gaius Mucius Scaevola

About the Item

A 16th century Italian agate intaglio depicting Gaius Mucius Scaevola, the oval shaped agate measuring approximately 1.9 x 1.6cm, depicting Scaevola on a standing position with his right hand into a fire, inscribed MILI IM FID and decorated with the symbols of the Sun, the Moon and the Scorpio, mounted in a gold ring in later 19th century, measuring 2.5 x 2.2cm, finger size S (UK), 9 1/4 (USA), gross weight 9.9 grams. This antique intaglio is in very good condition with minor wear consistent with its age. The later mount made approximately in mid 19th century, unmarked, tested as 9ct gold. A bold ring from the collection of Bentley & Skinner, the London jewellers by appointment to both Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, featuring a 16th century agate intaglio and mounted in a yellow gold ring later in the 19th century. The attractive agate intaglio depicts Gaius Mucius Scaevola, a legendary Roman hero who was said to have saved Rome by volunteering to assassinate the Etruscan king Lars Porsena. Unsuccessful, he killed Porsena's scribe by mistake and was captured. As shown on this intaglio, Scaevola demonstrated his courage by holding his right hand in a blazing altar fire lit for sacrifice which granted him his freedom and brought peace offering to Rome. The name Scaevola means ‘left-handed’, and this daring ring would look magnificent worn on the left hand.
  • Ring Size:
    9.25 US, Resizable
  • Metal:
  • Stone:
  • Stone Cut:
  • Weight:
    9.9 g
  • Style:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    16th & 19th century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 35060M1stDibs: LU57620446202

More From This Seller

View All
An 18th C Carnelian Intaglio Of David Garrick As A Ring
Located in London, GB
A late 18th century carnelian intaglio mounted as a ring, the intaglio carved after the 1772 medal of Garrick by Lewis Pingo, 1743-1830, a cast of which is in the British Museum, Lo...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Classical Roman Signet Rings

Materials

Carnelian, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Georgian Carnelian Intaglio Ring
Located in London, GB
A Georgian carnelian intaglio ring, the oval carnelian measuring 20 x 17mm, seal engraved with the head of Zeus Ammon, depicted in profile with ram’s horn, ...
Category

Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Signet Rings

Materials

Carnelian

Georgian Carnelian Intaglio Gold Signet Ring
Located in London, GB
A Georgian carnelian intaglio ring, the oval cornelian measuring 21 x 18mm, seal-engraved with a classic male head, bearded and in profile, in a yel...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Signet Rings

Materials

Carnelian, Yellow Gold, Gold

A mid-18th century Italian agate cameo of Emperor Titus
Located in London, GB
A mid-18th century Italian agate cameo of Emperor Titus, the oval shaped cameo measuring 2.2 x 1.6cm and depicting the Roman Emperor Titus, set in a late Georgian yellow gold ring mo...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century European Dome Rings

Materials

22k Gold

Pair of Reverse Intaglio Crystal Cufflinks
Located in London, GB
A pair of turn-of-the century reverse intaglio crystal cufflinks, depicting the portrait head of two various breeds of a cat and dog, each circular li...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Austrian Edwardian Cufflinks

Materials

Crystal, 14k Gold

Pair of Dunhill Reverse Intaglio Crystal Cufflinks
By Dunhill
Located in London, GB
A pair of Dunhill reverse intaglio crystal cufflinks, the cabochon-cut crystal faces each depicting different game animal, measuring approximately 1.4...
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cufflinks

Materials

Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold

You May Also Like

Post Medieval Signet Ring, circa 16th-17th Century
Located in London, GB
Post Medieval signet ring. Composed of an oval plaque featuring a finely engraved image of a thistle with stalk and leaves, the initials 'LI' in engraved...
Category

Antique 16th Century Medieval Signet Rings

Materials

Yellow Gold

A Roman Gnostic Intaglio In Agate 3rd Century AD Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
A very interesting gnostic intaglio made on a dark grey mottled agate. The front shows two snakes whose tails seem to turn into rods(?) which are then held in the mouths of the oppos...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Signet Rings

Materials

Agate, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Castellani Ancient Roman Agate Intaglio Gold Ring
By Castellani
Located in New York, NY
Castellani® has selected this Ancient Roman Agate Intaglio for the "Cleopatra" Ring Setting. The intaglio dates to the 3rd to 7th Century. The intaglio is both black and white agate, which is a hard stone and very good for carving. The agate has two layers of color, black on the top and white at the bottom. The agate intaglio is solid and is one piece. The carver was able to use these two color layers to give dimension and detail. The Column and Angel on the left wings are white and the balance is all black. The Carver knew the material he/she was carving and used this to create this very unique scene. The intaglio shows two angels standing on either side of a column/pillar looking at the bust of a man on top of the pillar. The angels are female and male. The bust on the pedestal is of a male. The intaglio is set below the frame. The frame flairs out to a subtle point on the sides and has a flat surface. The "Cleopatra" ring design was a style that Castellani created in the 1860's and was inspired by Ancient Roman rings...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Etruscan Revival Signet Rings

Materials

Agate, 18k Gold, Gold

Castellani Ancient Banded Agate Peacock Intaglio Gold Ring
By Castellani
Located in New York, NY
A lovely Ancient Roman gem. The orange and white banded agate intaglio is over 2000 years old. In tondo (carved on the horizontal), we find a peacock between two cornucopias and abov...
Category

2010s American Etruscan Revival Signet Rings

Materials

Agate, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Banded Agate and Yellow Gold Intaglio Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, impressive antique banded agate and 14 karat yellow gold intaglio signet ring; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This exceptional, fine and impressive signet ring has been crafted in 14k yellow gold. The substantial antique ring setting (circa 1880) displays an oval carved banded agate panel (circa 1820), ornamented with a carved intaglio. The intaglio bears a male profile, featuring a beard and tied headband. The surrounding setting is plain and unembellished, melding with the incurved shaped ring shoulders and blending seamlessly with the plain ring shank. This antique intaglio ring...
Category

Antique 1820s Unknown Signet Rings

Materials

Agate, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique French Silver Ring Agate Intaglio of Follower of Dyonysos God of Wine
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This substantial silver ring holds an intaglio of a follower of the greek god Dyonisos, the god of wine dance and fertility. The dancing little boy holds a bunch of grapes in his in ...
Category

Antique 1870s French Signet Rings

Materials

Agate, Silver

Recently Viewed

View All