This substantial oval cameo, set in its original yellow gold shank with curved setting, depicts the deit Serapis, who can be recognizes by the grain measure that sits at the top of his head.
Serapis was effectively a blend of several gods created in the Hellenistic period as an effort to bring together Greek and Egyptian religious traditions in Ptolemaic Egypt. He blended aspects of the Egyptian Osiris-Apis cult with characteristics of Greek gods such as Zeus, Hades, and Asclepius. Unlike many traditional Egyptian deities, Serapis was represented in a Greek style, usually shown as a bearded man wearing a modius, a grain measure associated with abundance and the afterlife.
Serapis was worshipped as a god of fertility, healing, and the underworld, which made him appealing to a wide range of followers. His main sanctuary, the Serapeum of Alexandria, became a major religious and cultural center. From there, his cult spread across the Mediterranean, reflecting the flexible and adaptive nature of religion in the Hellenistic world.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: US 11, UK W, circumference 65 mm. The setting measures 28 x 22 mm. This ring can be resized if desired.
Weight: 9.00 grams
Age: Late 18th Century, circa 1780s.
Material: I believe that the cameo is carved from spondylus shell, a variety of shell which is known for its hardness, and which gives a similar translucence as can be observed in the background of this cameo. The shank is acid tested as at least 10k gold.
Condition: In great condition with only minor wear, consistent with age. The cameo is in good condition, with only slight wear on the tip of its nose and no other cracks or damage.
Please note that the antique box is for display purposes only. This shop is based in the EU. Although antiques are exempt from taxes in most countries, buyers from outside the EU might be subject to import taxes.
