A ROMAN CARNELIAN RING DEPICTING A WRESTLER FIGHTING A SERPENT, CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.

拍品描述

A ROMAN CARNELIAN RING DEPICTING A WRESTLER FIGHTING A SERPENT, CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D. Carved from rich orange-red carnelian, the oval intaglio depicts a nude male figure engaged in combat with a coiled serpent. The man stands in dynamic contrapposto, one arm raised and the other extended downward as the serpent winds around his legs. The modelling is crisp and naturalistic, the musculature sharply defined, and the composition framed within a finely ground oval field. The surface retains a high polish with minor age-related wear along the edges. The reverse of the bezel is smoothly finished, showing traces of ancient mounting and light abrasion. Such intaglios were typically set into gold or silver signet rings and served both as personal seals and protective amulets. The imagery of a man subduing a serpent symbolised triumph over chaos, a motif resonant with Roman ideals of strength, virtue, and divine protection. Length of Stone: 2cm Internal Diameter: 2.3cm

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