372 - Stuart Period Gold Ring with Roman Carnelian Gemstone of Mercury. Circa 17th century A.D., intaglio 1st-2nd century A.D. With intricately engraved shoulders, with floral design, filled with the remains of black enamel; the bezel with a discoid intaglio standing figure of Mercury in profile, with marsupium in one extended hand and caduceus supported in the crook of the other arm with chlamys draped from the shoulder. See Provincia di Venezia, Piccolo mondo antico, la collezione glittica torcellana, Venezia, 2014, p.12. 2.87 grams, 24.61 mm overall, 18.76 x 21.81 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20) (1 in.). [A video of this lot is available to view on TimeLine Auctions Website]

Stuart Period Gold Ring with Roman Carnelian Gemstone of Mercury. Circa 17th century A.D., intaglio 1st-2nd century A.D. With intricately engraved shoulders, with floral design, filled with the remains of black enamel; the bezel with a discoid intaglio standing figure of Mercury in profile, with marsupium in one extended hand and caduceus supported in the crook of the other arm with chlamys draped from the shoulder. See Provincia di Venezia, Piccolo mondo antico, la collezione glittica torcellana, Venezia, 2014, p.12. 2.87 grams, 24.61 mm overall, 18.76 x 21.81 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20) (1 in.). [A video of this lot is available to view on TimeLine Auctions Website] Ex Peter Szuhay, Mayfair, London, UK. Private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13487-262460. On such gems, the god is usually depicted standing, with his head in profile and accompanied by his attributes: he holds a purse, a marsupium, in one hand, while the caduceus is tucked under his arm, wrapped in his cloak. Mercury was the patron of commerce and merchants, but also of thieves; the purse represented profit. TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists. See our website for more information.