Victorian Coral "Ampelos" Cameo Ring

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Victorian Coral "Ampelos" Cameo Ring

$800.00

Description

DATE: Victorian, c.1880

A weird antique ring featuring a hand-carved coral cameo, possibly depicting Ampelos - personification of the grape vine and lover of Dionysus. Ampelos died tragically, gored by a bull after mocking the goddess Selene. Dionysus turned his body into the first grape vine and his blood to wine. Or, if you prefer Ovid's account, “the reckless youth fell picking gaudy grapes on a branch. [Dionysos] lifted the lost boy to the stars,” turning him into one of the stars of the constellation Vindemitor or Vindiatrix (better known as Boötes).

The craftsmanship is excellent, with grape bunches and leaved variously arranged around the face, and it dates from the latter half of the 19th Century. Set in an interesting French ring mount crafted in 9 karat gold with an openworked gallery.

STONES

Coral

MEASUREMENTS

Head: 2.3 x 1.7cm

Width of band: 2.1mm

WEIGHT

6.0g

MARKS

French 9k gold hallmarks

CONDITION

Very good