Ancient Roman Gold Ring With Deer And Cypress Intaglio 2rd Century AD
Ring set with an intaglio representing the deer and the cypress Hollow setting Gold and carnelian Roman art, 1st-2nd century Intaglio size: 0.8 x 0.6 cm Ring size: 6 Weight: 5.76 gr The deer is the symbol of vital regeneration due to the periodic renewal of its horns (also compared to the branches of trees) and takes on an allegorical value of development and union between the superior and inferior forces. Even depicted next to the Buddha, who is said to have been reincarnated in a previous life as a golden deer, this graceful and elegant animal is also connected to the alchemical Mercury, a psychic substance that acts as an intermediary, a bridge between the conscious and the unconscious, providing us with the extraordinary possibility of illuminating the interior and allowing the deep self to manifest itself. The deer is cited in the Holy Scriptures numerous times, but Christian iconography has taken inspiration in particular from Psalm 42: "As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God". It is very common, for example, on baptismal fonts: its meaning in this case refers to the soul of the faithful who drinks from the only source of authentic life. The loss of antlers that miraculously regenerate in spring has instead been associated with the resurrection of Christ, which is why the deer is considered the one who rises from his ashes after giving life through death. In medieval bestiaries it is said that the animal, a bitter enemy of snakes, to flush them out fills its mouth with water, pours it into the den and with a breath drags them out and kills them by trampling them with its paws: religious iconography takes up this concept to allude to good triumphing over evil. The Latin poet Ovid tells of Cyparissus, who spent his days in the woods in the company of a deer with golden antlers and who was transformed into a Cypress after asking the Gods to remain in eternal mourning following an accident that led him to kill his beloved deer. For this reason the cypress has been associated with pain and called "the tree that grows near those who suffer". It is thought that it was, together with the Cedar, the Olive and the Palm, one of the four trees whose wood was used to build the cross of Jesus Christ. The Persians instead considered it the "first tree of paradise", as it established a sort of connection between the world of the underworld and that of the heavens: its roots grow in the depths of the earth, while its crown rises towards the sky.
The use of mounting ancient Roman gems on gold settings to carry out jewels was typical of Italian goldsmithing from renaissance until 19th century.
Price:
€ 5.000
Please note: Our price is fully inclusive of shipping, importation taxes & duties
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