Antique Neptune intaglio ring. Set to centre with an oval orange carnelian intaglio of the ancient Roman god of the sea and freshwater, Neptune in profile, in an open back rubover setting featuring a smooth border with open backholing leading to heavy trumpeting shoulders and flowing through to a solid D-shape shank. Tested 18 carat yellow gold, circa 1890.

Neptune, or Poseidon in Greek mythology, is the god of the sea, freshwater, and horses, wielding his iconic trident to command the waves and create storms. In Roman mythology, Neptune was revered as the deity governing all water bodies and was honoured for his role in navigation and seafaring. While Poseidon was also associated with earthquakes, earning the epithet "Earth-Shaker," Neptune’s Roman worship focused more on his maritime and equestrian domains, celebrated during festivals like Neptunalia, which falls in high summer making it incredibly hot and dry. Despite their cultural nuances, both mythologies portray him as a powerful, tempestuous figure, deeply intertwined with the mysteries and might of the ocean.

This ring is in excellent condition.