Asta Bidspirit | A roman carnelian intaglio set

A roman carnelian intaglio set in a gold ring. Heraclides attempting a draw. 1st century A.D. Stone 10 x 14 mm; ring size diam 16 mm; 1,83 gr. The hero is depicted in profile, with his right foot resting on a rock, as he attempts a draw inside an amphora. The greek warrior is naked, helmeted and armed with a spear and sword. Groundline. The subject is taken from the group of Three Heraclids who attend the draw with the amphora, a mythical episode with complicated events. Wear marks. Ring formed by a hollow sheet of gold. Rare subject. Parallel: U. Pannuti, Catalogo della collezione glittica vol I, Napoli, Museo Nazionale, n. 147-148. Provenance: UK private collection.