Gold Ring Set with an Ancient Carnelian Scarab Depicting a Deer Hunt.

Gold Ring Set with an Ancient Carnelian Scarab Depicting a Deer Hunt.

5th century BC scarab; modern gold ring, 1970s.

Measurements
Ring size: M 1/2 UK / 6.5 US / 53 EU.
Weight: 13.83 grams.

Description
An 18-carat gold ring mounted with an ancient Greek carnelian scarab of the 5th century BC. The scarab, drilled longitudinally in antiquity, is engraved with a hunt scene in which a deer is depicted fleeing, a spear embedded in its back. The gem exhibits surface wear and inclusions characteristic of Classical-period carnelian, while the underside preserves the carved beetle, clearly visible through the open-backed setting.

The modern gold mount, dating from the 1970s, comprises a substantial tapering shank and a broad oval bezel with engraved radial striations. The tooth-edged collet secures the scarab and elevates it within the composition, allowing light to pass through the stone. The interior of the ring is carefully finished to permit unobstructed examination of the ancient carving. The mount conforms to twentieth-century practices of integrating classical elements into contemporary wearable forms, a mode of presentation popularised by leading jewellery houses such as Bulgari and Cartier, while maintaining the integrity of the ancient component.