Cornelian intaglio ring depicting Omphale wife of Hercules c.1820.
Converted from a seal fob using the shoulders of the fob for the shank.
15 carat gold.
Size 6.5.
Head of ring 2 cms by 1.8 cms.
Omphale, Queen of Lydia, was a popular subject for intaglios and cameos from Ancient to Renaissance through to the c18th and c19th.Her imagery depicts her as a powerfully sensual woman who inverted traditional gender roles by making the hero Hercules her servant.She is most commonly shown wearing the Nemean lion skin and carrying the club of Hercules.