Antique Georgian 22ct Gold Hardstone Cameo Ring Attributed to Antonio Berini

Antique Georgian 22ct Gold Hardstone Cameo Ring Attributed to Antonio Berini

A spectacular piece of history – this antique Georgian 22ct yellow gold hardstone cameo ring is attributed to Antonio Berini (1770-1861) and has been crafted with the most exquisite craftsmanship. The face carving is of Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC – 7 December BC)
The carving was made in the Georgian era circa 1770-1861, while Antonio Berini was alive.

Dimensions –
Finger Size (UK) : R (US) : 8 3/4 (EU) : 58 1/2
Ring Size : 3.5 x 2.7 x 3 cm
Weight : 36 grams

About Antonio Berini –
Born in Rome, Antonio Berini moved to Milan at a young age where he studied under Giovanni Pichler. He enjoyed the patronage of Count Caprara and Count Giovanni Battista Sommariva. An outspoken anti-monarchist, Berini clashed with the Bonapartes when he was asked to carve a portrait of Napoleon after he declared himself King of Italy in 1805; it was noticed in the cameo that along the emperor’s neck was an incision that looked suspiciously like blood. Because of this, the artist was imprisoned until the end of the coronation festivities. Although prolific during his lifetime, many of Berini’s works are now lost or are known only through plaster casts or scagliola.

About Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC – 7 December 43 BC) –
He was a Roman statesman, orator, lawyer and philosopher, who served as consul in the year 63 BC. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the Roman equestrian order and is considered one of Rome’s greatest orators and prose stylists. Cicero introduced the Romans to the chief schools of Greek philosophy and created a Latin philosophical vocabulary with neologisms such as evidentia, humanitas, qualitas, quantitas, and essentia. Though he was an accomplished orator and successful lawyer, Cicero believed his political career was his most important achievement.