Jewelry Through the Ages: Ancient to Neoclassical

Provenance:

Private Collection, United States.

Fortuna Fine Arts, New York, 1990s.

Acquired by the present owner from the above, 8 August 2007.

with Phoenix Ancient Art, Geneva, 10 June 2010.

(Art Loss Register Certificate no. S000037933)

For a man who professed ignorance as his only true wisdom, Socrates profoundly shaped Western philosophy, influencing generations long after his death in 399 B.C. Renowned for the Socratic method, a dialogue-based technique aimed at ethical reflection and intellectual rigor, Socrates laid crucial foundations for moral philosophy. Although leaving no written records himself, his teachings were immortalized by disciples like Plato and Xenophon, firmly embedding his ideas within both Greek and later Roman intellectual traditions. Roman admiration for Socrates is evident in numerous marble portraits and herms dating primarily from the 1st and 2nd Centuries A.D., affirming his lasting image as a figure of philosophical and intellectual inquiry.

This intaglio, dating from the 1st–2nd Century A.D. and re-mounted into a modern gold finger ring, is a compelling testament to Socrates' enduring cultural legacy. Measuring nearly 1.5 inches in diameter, the intaglio's elliptical cabochon shape and precise engraving illustrate the skill characteristic of ancient Roman glyptic art. Black jasper, sourced predominantly from regions such as Egypt and Anatolia in antiquity, was favored for its fine grain and intense, uniform coloration. The portrait engraved on this gem aligns closely with the well-documented "type B" portrait head, traditionally linked to the sculptor Lysippos's interpretation around 340 B.C. It carefully captures Socrates' distinctive physical traits—his bald forehead, broad nose, thick lips, and prominent beard—conveying both his celebrated intellectual gravity and physical likeness, famously compared to the satyr Silenus. The remarkable condition of this intaglio highlights both the skillful craftsmanship and the care with which this powerful portrait was preserved over time, contributing significantly to its enduring appeal.

For a similar intaglio in subject and medium, see Princeton University Art Museum (Acc. no. 2002-2).