A Roman carnelian intaglio depicting Mercury with a caduceus

A Roman carnelian intaglio depicting Mercury with a caduceus, probably c. 1st - 2nd century AD, in a late 16th - early 17th century black enamel gold signet ring, intaglio 1.7cm high, ring size T (approx.)

For a similar ring see V&A museum number M.553-1910, from the collections of the Dukes of Mantua, Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel and Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough.

The enamel decoration to the shank possibly inspired by the prints of Hans van Ghemert (See V&A museum number 16969 and Boardman, J., The Marlborough Gems (Oxford University Press: 2009), p. 105, no. 181