An eighteenth century cameo mounted finger ring

the cameo carved in a white layer of sardonyx, a left facing portrait of a woman in Classical dress, possibly depicting a Roman empress. Italian, 16th Century or earlier.

Mounted in an antique gold finger ring, circa 1760.

The emperors and empresses of ancient Rome were a popular subject for Renaissance gem engravers, as they were held up as paragons of wealth and power.

£7,500