the ancient 17th century stuart period jupiter intaglio ring

A rare 17th-century Stuart-period gold ring set with a finely carved onyx intaglio depicting Jupiter enthroned, accompanied by his eagle and holding a flame in his extended hand. Rings of this type served both as personal adornment and as functional signets, with the intaglio designed to be impressed into wax.
The oval bezel is robust and confidently proportioned, with petal-like detailing that extends beneath the setting and into the shoulders; a construction characteristic of 17th-century goldwork. The shank is solid and unbroken, and the ring sits with the assured weight expected of a high-status object of the period.
Jupiter, king of the Roman gods, was associated with authority, justice, wisdom, and protection. His image was frequently chosen for seals and rings intended to convey power, legitimacy, and learned taste. The eagle, his divine companion, reinforces this symbolism, while the flame may be read as a reference to divine authority or enlightenment.
The intaglio is supplied with a museum-quality impression, allowing the carving to be seen clearly in relief, as it would have appeared when used as a seal.
Provenance
This ring has a strong and well-documented provenance. It was acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s–1990s, later forming part of a private East London collection. It has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by an official search certificate. In 2025, the ring was exhibited at Harwich Museum, Essex, with a photograph of the artefacts on display included.
Comparable examples of intaglio-set rings from this period are discussed in Chadour and Scarisbrick, illustrating the continued classical influence on Stuart jewellery and the enduring use of engraved gemstones as markers of identity and authority.
References
Chadour, A.B., Rings: The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, Vol. I, Leeds, 1994, nos. 787, 790Scarisbrick, D., Rings: Jewelry of Power, Love and Loyalty, London, 2013, figs. 253–254

Antiques.co.uk Ref: 5A6FMN56Y

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