Gold ring with a scarab of a grasshopper. Archaic period, 5th century BC.

A gold ring with a fine ancient agate scarab carved with an intaglio of a grasshopper.

Ancient Greek, Archaic period, 5th century BC.

Ring size U UK / 10 US.

The scarab measures 1.7 x 1.3 x 1.2cm.

The grasshopper is carved beside with what appears to be a spear point.

The high carat gold ring is modern.

A similar ancient scarab carved with a cricket was sold on the 29th April 2019 by Christies, New York in their auction, ‘Masterpieces in miniature; Ancient engraved gems formerly in the G. Sangiorgi collection’, lot 7 (see second from last image, price realised
USD 30,000), followed by a more accomplished example with the same subject, lot 8 (see last image, price realised
USD 519,000).