An italic sard intaglio set in a gold ring. Hermes psychopomp.

2nd century B.C.

Int diam 19 mm; stone 10x13 mm; 6 gr.

The standing god is facing left and slightly bent toward the ground. He is naked, his back covered by a cloak. His right hand holding the caduceus meanwhile with his left hand, the fingers delicately touch a male head, probably a deceased one that he must bring to the Underworld. This scene shows Hermes in his function of Psychopomp, the one that guides the death souls. This subject is probably referred to the Pythagoreanism. Use of globular elements. Hatched border. Nice polishing for the engraving, and signs of wears on the surface. The late 19th/ early 20th century gold mouting is made of a rounded hoop dividing in three sections on the shoulders and extending onto an oval box-setting with thin incised grooves. Parallels: AGDS, n. 60; AGDS Berlin n. 299. AGKM (Kunst, Wien) n. 126. G.M.A. Richter, Catalogue of engraved gems, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, n. 225-226. AGDS Munchen, vol. 2 n. 723.

Provenance: UK private collection.