Vintage 18K Gold French 1960’s Frosted Glass Cameo Ring Renaissance Revival

A very unusual antique gold ring set with a carved brown and white hardstone cameo depicting the theatrical comic mask of Silenus, the Greek mythological old rustic god of wine-making and drunkenness. The ring was made in the late 19th century and carries French control marks for 18K gold, whilst the cameo is probably Italian and made slightly earlier, circa 1800. Silenus was a companion to the wine god Dionysus, and suitably he was a notorious consumer of wine, usually drunk and supported by satyrs or carried by a donkey. Silenus was described as the oldest, wisest and most drunken of the followers of Dionysus, and was said to possess special knowledge and the power of prophecy when intoxicated. He presides over the other satyrs and is related to musical creativity, prophetic ecstasy, drunken joy and drunken dances. Silenus was usually depicted as a jovial old man, bald yet bearded, with a pot-belly, thick lips and snub-nose. The masks worn to play him in theatre really emphasised these features, as you can see with this cameo carving Theatre was a key part of ancient Greek culture. The theatrical masks worn by the actors, known as ‘prosopon’, served various purposes. They enabled individual actors to play multiple roles (or genders) in the same performance; the exaggerated expressions helped define the character being portrayed; they helped spectators in the back rows to tell the characters apart. This particular masked as mentioned before is a comedic Silenus, please see final photo for other examples of Silenus masks in museum collections. UK size N 1/2, US size 7 4.84g 18K gold French ‘tête...

A fantastic French 19th century Neorenaissance silver intaglio ring, in the manner of Jules Wièse and Froment-Meurice, circa 1840. The milky blue ...

A scarce and small ancient Roman gold Medusa cameo ring, circa 2nd to 3rd century AD. The carved layered onyx gemstone is white in colour and depicts the bust of Medusa engraved wit...

This rare antique late 18th century gold ring was made in France and features a painted enamel miniature of a shepherd boy holding a crook. This pastoral scene probably depicts David...

Superbly carved Georgian period sardonyx cameo signet ring depicting Roman Emperor Augustus in profile Late 18th/ Early 19th Century Condition: Ver...

An exceptional, fine and impressive vintage signet ring in 18 karat yellow gold; part of our gent's jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine and impressive vintage signet ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold. The ring has a square shaped anterior surface, which is plain and unembellished; this allows for personal engraving to be applied if so desired. This vacant cartouche is encompassed with fine chased scrolling leaf decoration, continuing across the faceted shoulders. The shoulders blend seamlessly with the plain 18 ct yellow gold ring...

Cameo depicting Alessandro de' Medici, known as (IL Moro or 'The Moor'), c. 16th century, in later gold ring mount, cameo 2.0cm high, ring size 7 Alessandro de’ Medici (22 July 151...

Artfully sculpted with exquisite attention to detail, this striking Classical Revival ring depicts Pan, the mischievous god of the wild, and a Bacchante. Pan is depicted with the up...