Vintage Bulgari ring with nephrite Intaglio of Pegasus 1st century BCE
18 karat white gold ring with a yellow gold bezel setting. Made circa 1970-80s
The oval translucent green nephrite with a carving of Pegasus. Born from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa. This mythical winged horse is depicted mid stride. The carving is finely made as well in successfully capturing the forceful energy. The style of carving places it among Hellenistic works.
According to early myths, everywhere the winged horse struck his hoof to the earth, an inspiring water spring burst forth. Because of his years of faithful service to Zeus, Pegasus was later honoured with transformation into a constellation. Long honored as a constellation, Pegasus is a subject of very rich iconography, especially through ancient Greek pottery as well as paintings and sculptures of the Renaissance
The carver lets us see this leap, a symbol of poetic spirit and inspiration.
Intaglio measures 9.8×8.6mm
Gross weight 9.2gram
Size: us 6.75, uk N, eur 53 3/8
Hallmarked 750, workshop nr and Signed BVLGARI
Several generations of the Bulgari family has been dedicated and passionate collectors of coins and intaglios. Nicola Bulgari, grandson of of the founder Sotirio, was the one that first started using coins and intaglios in their jewelry in the mid-1960s.
Intaglio is an engraved gem, frequently is a small and usually semi-precious gemstone that has been carved most often with motif 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 later periods.
The use of these artifacts deepened the firms connection with Bulgari’s proud Hellenic and Roman cultural heritage.
