A Victorian carnelian and gold intaglio ring

A Victorian carnelian and gold intaglio ring

Description

A Victorian carnelian and gold intaglio ring, the oval shaped carnelian engraved with the figures of Leda, Princess of Aetolia, and Zeus in the form of a swan, Roman-set in a later gold mount, with reeded shoulders tapering to a plain shank, circa 1860, possibly Italian, measuring 2.2 x 2.4cm, finger size R ½, gross weight 16.0 grams.

This intaglio depicts the Greek myth of Leda and the swan. Leda, Queen of Sparta, was a beautiful woman, so beautiful that she unknowingly caught the eye of Zeus. Zeus, determined to avoid detection from his wife Hera, transformed himself into a swan and pursued Leda. The result of this coupling was the birth of two children, Polydeuces and Helen. Helen would go on to be known as “the face that launched a thousand ships” for her pivotal role in the Trojan War and be later known as “Helen of Troy”.