1st century AD. A lavender coloured amethyst intaglio engraved with a profile bust of Apollo, the muse of lyrical poetry, wearing a wreath, a kithara to the field; set into a later substantial gold ring with D-section hoop, a conical projection to each shoulder; separately made bezel with floral motif to the domed underside. 13.26 grams, 31.15mm overall, 19.61mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20) (1 1/4"). From the collection of a Japanese gentleman, deceased (1970-2010); collected in the 1990s; accompanied by an independent specialist report and valuation by graduate gemmologist and jewellery expert Anna Rogers, GIA GG, BA, Gem-A, ref. no.171971/07/12/2020; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10545-171971.