Gifts of Grandeur: The Butterfly Intaglio Ring, 1850

Intaglio Ring
Agate and Gold
Italy, 1850
The Townshend Collection
The Victoria & Albert Musuem

Intaglios like this one have been carved into gemstones since the 8^th Century BC, starting in ancient Greece.  The art of gemstone engraving has been revived throughout history, especially during the Byzantine era, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and again in the 18th and 19th centuries.  With each revival, intaglios and carved cameos were increasingly prized and adored. 

This gem, daring to c. 1850, is done in the neo-classical style which was quite popular in the late 1700s and early 1800s, when fashion mimicked the style of the Greek and Roman masters.   The subject nods to 2nd century Roman mythology wherein the beautiful young woman Psyche was Cupid's lover, who after many ordeals, was united with him in heaven. Psyche came to symbolize the Soul and she is frequently depicted as accompanied by or even represented by a butterfly.

This rectangular intaglio of pale brown and white layered agate (essentially the variety we call “sardonyx”) depicts a butterfly.  It is set in a gold ring.  The piece was made in Italy.

I should note that this gem was part of the famous collection of jewels of the Reverend Chauncy Hare Townshend (1798-1868), who bequeathed his important collection to the South Kensington Museum (later, the V&A) in 1869.