Georgian Tassie Intaglio Swivel Ring

A rare Antique Georgian era gold swivel signet ring, made in England in the early 19th century, circa 1810.

Set into the bezel is a remarkable brown glass intaglio, attributed to William Tassie. The subject is carved in an Ancient Greek or Etruscan style and depicts a Classical scene of two nude, helmeted male figures, interpreted as Greek soldiers or mythological heroes. One figure appears to kneel while being supported by a standing warrior, a composition consistent with Neoclassical interpretations of antique heroism and captivity.

A wax impression made from this intaglio is catalogued in the Beazley Archives at the University of Oxford as item 2617, titled A Kneeling Warrior (Captive?) Supported by a Standing Warrior, listed under Unpublished Tassie, Tray 41.2. The record can be consulted in the Beazley database. 

William Tassie, nephew and successor to James Tassie, took over the family business after James’s death in 1799. He continued and expanded the production of engraved glass pastes, cataloguing impressions after 1791 in a manuscript now held at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. His reputation was such that Catherine II of Russia became his patron, commissioning him to reproduce thousands of gems from major European collections, granting him unparalleled access to important glyptic material.

The ring itself is crafted in 18K gold, confirmed by the French owl control mark, indicating that the ring was later retailed in France or brought into the country. Comparable Classical intaglios with swivel bezels are held in the British Museum, including examples under museum numbers 1913,0307.60; 1913,0307.86; 1913,0307.54; and 1913,0307.92.

Weight 2.59 grams.

UK ring size N; approximately US 6.75.

Intaglio measures 11 x 10 mm.