Renaissance Ring with Ancient Roman Mosaic Glass

Dating from c. 15th-16th century Europe, this gilt ring is set with ancient mosaic glass. The polychrome hexagonal glass fragment is bezel-set within a dentilled surround, its deep basket and gallery joining open arced shoulders, all ornamented by trefoil and foliate motifs in relief on an engraved field, with possible remnants of niello. With its beautiful patina and unusual materials, this remarkable ring, gently worn by many hands, combines the Renaissance jeweler’s art with reverence for the ancient world.

Item #: R-20065
Country: Europe, possibly Northern Italy
Circa: 2nd-3rd century AD Roman glass, c. 15th-16th century mounting
Size: 6.75; this ring can be sized (please call the gallery for details)
Materials: Ancient Roman or Phoenician mosaic glass fragment; Gilt metal
Literature: For examples of niello work in Byzantine, Early Medieval, and Renaissance rings, see Finger Rings: From Ancient Egypt to the Present Day, by Gerard Taylor and Diana Scarsbrick, Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, 1978.