A fine Roman carnelian intaglio set in a modern gold ring. Portrait of the empress Sabina.

A fine Roman carnelian intaglio set in a modern gold ring. Portrait of the empress Sabina. An important roman carnelian intaglio depicting the portrait of Sabine, wife of the emperor Hadrien, 2nd century A.D. This portrait recalls a series of her portraits with the same features; a long flexible neck springing from a chiton with undulating and shimmering folds, a youthful face, a majestic and somewhat cold bearing. The best example of this series is in the Sangiorgi collection. Others in the British Museum, showing slight variations. Here unlike the other copies of this series, it is an effigy with more mature features, a matron. We also find on each model, the wide braid composed of different hair bands that surround the head, the horizontal braids covering the top of the head, the small crochet locks frame the forehead. The portrait is engraved with great artistic and technical execution. The stone has minor chips on the edge, and significant wear marks, slightly burnt. Set in a later collector gold ring. Mid 2nd century A.D. Stone 16 x 20 x 4 mm circa; 10,30 gr. Ring size 57