Gold Ring Set With A 19th Century Sardonyx Cameo Of Medusa.

Gold Ring Set with a Sardonyx Cameo of Medusa.

The cameo 19th century, the ring later.

Measurements:
Bezel: 2 × 1.7cm.
Ring size: Q UK / 8 US / 57 EU.
Weight: 6.8 grams.

This high-carat gold ring is set with a finely carved sardonyx cameo depicting Medusa in profile. The carver has expertly exploited the layered structure of the stone to enhance the striking contrast between the pale foreground and dark ground. Her hair is composed of tightly coiled serpents that frame the face in richly detailed curls, conveying both beauty and latent menace. Two further serpents are bound around the neck, their bodies serving as a symbolic collar beneath the chin. The gold setting is broad, smooth, and softly planished, lending a bold and confident presence to the jewel.

The subject of Medusa — revered as an apotropaic figure capable of warding off evil — enjoyed a significant revival in the 19th century, inspired by renewed interest in the art and mythology of the Classical past. This cameo exemplifies that taste, combining technical accomplishment with a fascination for the powerful iconography of antiquity.