"An imperial antique gents gold ring, crafted circa 1820s, featuring an intaglio engraved carnelian stone with mans head, ring in excellent condition... A touch of history. Antique jewelry object group: ring Condition: excellent condition Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of French origin. Style: Pre-Victorian - Style specifics: A style that borrowed style specifics from the ancient Greeks and the Roman empire (hence the name of the style: Empire). The empire period represents the second part of the Neo-Classical style, and shows a strong French influence. The style originated in the desire of Napoleon to revive the luxurious majesty of imperial Rome. Traditional classical motifs, already seen in the reign of Louis XVI, were supplemented by symbols of imperial grandeur- the emperors monogram and his emblem, the bee; representations of military trophies; and after the successful campaigns in Egypt, Egyptian motifs. If we had to characterize this style briefly, we could focus on two elementary concepts: massiveness and symmetry. Period: ca. 1820 Source of inspiration: Roman intaglios Theme: mans head Material: 18K yellow gold Technique: Intaglio - An intaglio or engraved gem is a small gemstone, usually semi-precious, that has been carved, in the Western tradition normally with images or inscriptions only on one face. The engraving of gemstones was a major luxury art form in the ancient world, and an important one in some later periods. Strictly speaking, engraving means carving in intaglio, with the design cut into the flat background of the stone, but relief carvings, with the design projecting out of the background as in nearly all cameos, are also covered by the term. The activity is also called gem carving, and the artists gem-cutters. References to antique gems, and intaglios in a jewellery context, will almost always mean carved gems. (from: Wikipedia) Precious stones: cornelian Birthstones: Cornelian is the birthstone (or month stone) for July. Hallmarks: No trace. Dimensions: top of ring 2.07 cm (0.81 inch) x 2.30 cm (0.91 inch) Weight: 8.60 gram (5.53 dwt) Ring size Continental: 65 & 20_ , Size US 11_ , Size UK: W Resizing: Free resizing, but because of the the way the ring is made, we cannot guarantee to make it on every size; so please ask in advance (only for extreme resizing we have to charge). Reference N: 12131-0052 Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry "