It is a masterpiece of jewellery making of the Hellenistic era. For years it has been constantly changing hands, passing through various private collections. So now it belongs to the Jean Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. It is an ornate gold ring, with a miniature garden sculpted in gold and enamel as decoration on the bezel. Also protected under a domed cover of mineral crystal.
The ring is thought to have been made around 150 BC. It is one of the finest surviving examples of Hellenistic artefacts of this type with a bezel and is in perfect condition. It is unknown, however, where, when and under what circumstances it was found. It belongs to the large category of antiquities whose exact provenance is difficult to determine. It is therefore therefore impossible to claim them.
Last July it was acquired by the Getty Museum at an auction at Christie's in London. In fact, it far exceeded the maximum estimate, which was between £12,000 and £18,000. With a final sale price of £100,800, this rare piece of jewellery is expected to soon be displayed in the museum in a suitable exhibition setting.
The granulated beads and the Heraklion amma
The oval shaped ring is surrounded by cabochon crystal with gold granulated beads. Similar fine beads, always granulated and forming rhombuses cover the ring's frames. As for the bouquet, it includes a large gold flower with granulated beads in the center. Still filigree petals and wide leaves under the flower, filigree oak leaves and blue-green enamel details. A composition as a whole, particularly impressive.
Two tendrils, with flowers on the curved sides, end at the top of the annular ring, which is connected to the wreath. As for the ring itself, it is made of gold wire forming various patterns. Until it ends in a heracleion amma (Hercules' knot). A small garnet cabochon is placed right at the knot. However, two other gems that surrounded it in frames imitating ivy leaves have been lost.
The owners
Despite the complex technique of the ring's construction, however, there are not many studies on this particular type of ancient jewellery. So Getty plans to be the first to carry out an in-depth study of this extraordinary work.
It was first published in 1912 in the catalogue of the large ring collection of the collector and art dealer Ernest Guillaume. Throughout his life he collected watches, snuffboxes, enamels and rings for his personal collection. After him the ring was sold to Sotheby's in London in 1937. While the following year it appeared at auction in Lucerne, only to be passed on to various private owners and reach this year's sale.
Following this the aim now is to display it in Villa Getty along with similar items. After all, this is a museum dedicated to the cultures of ancient Greece, Rome and Etruria.
Source: mononews.gr
