Renaissance period sard intaglio of Venus and Cupid at the Forge of Vulcan.

A Renaissance period sard intaglio of Venus and Cupid at the Forge of Vulcan.

The intaglio is set in an unmarked 19th century high carat gold ring.

Italian, 16th century.

Ring size Q UK / 8 US.

The intaglio measures 1.6 x 1.5cm.

An extraordinarily similar intaglio can be found in the collection of the British Museum, Museum number; 1913,0307.30.

Another intaglio of the same subject but of a different composition was in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, Accession Number; LOAN:MET ANON.107-1968. The intaglio was sold by Sotheby’s London, Treasures sale, 7 December 2021, Lot 1 for £12,600 (including buyers premium). The intaglio held an illustrious provenance and was gifted to Queen Elizabeth I of England (c.1533-1603) by Archbishop Matthew Parker (c.1504-1575).