A Georgian chalcedony intaglio ring

A Georgian chalcedony intaglio ring

Description

A Georgian chalcedony intaglio ring, the oval shaped chalcedony engraved with the profile of Paris, Roman-set in a yellow gold mount and shank, circa 1800, measuring 2.2 x 1.8cm, finger size P ½, gross weight 4 grams.

A charming Georgian chalcedony intaglio ring. This ring depicts Paris. Paris is known for his pivotal part in the story of Helen of Troy.
It all began, as many Greek stories do, with Zeus. Upon hearing a prophecy that the son of Thetis (a sea nymph and Zeus’s lover) would surpass him, Zeus arranged for Thetis to marry the mortal hero Themis. The grand wedding was attended by all the gods, except for Eris, the Goddess of Discord. Who would have guessed that one scorned guest would cause so much havoc?
Offended by her exclusion, Eris arrived at the wedding, dropped an apple and left. Yet this was not just any apple, but a golden apple, which was inscribed “to the fairest one”.
Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite each claimed the apple was meant for her. A debate became a spat, and a spat became an all-out brawl, as each goddess believed she was the fairest one. The goddesses turned to Zeus, and demanded he decide who was the fairest one – a poisoned chalice of a task. Whomever Zeus chose, there would be two furious, all-powerful beings who would make his immortal life unbearable. To avoid this, Zeus entrusted the decision to Paris of Troy, an educated noble.
The scene that followed has become famous in history, depicted by artists such as Sir Peter Paul Ruebens, Enrique Simonet, Francois Faber and many more, and became known as The Judgement of Paris. The three goddesses stood before Paris, each taking turns to show their absolute best features. Paris found himself dazed, unable to decide as each goddess had her own unique beauty that was incomparable to the other.
Each goddess then offered a reward to Paris, to sway his decision in her favour. Hera promised undisputed power over Europe. Athena promised wisdom, strategy and wit. Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, scoffed at these promises and presented Paris with a woman, Helen of Sparta. Paris was enthralled; never had he seen such beauty in a mortal woman. When Aphrodite promised that if she was chosen as the fairest, Helen would be his, Paris proclaimed Aphrodite as the fairest one.
At once, Paris travelled to Sparta and took Helen from the royal palace. And the rest, as they say, is history. For those who adore history and Greek myth, this is the perfect piece.