The art of glyptics, carving on colored precious stones, is quite possibly one of the oldest art forms known to humanity. Intaglios, gems with an incised design, were made as early as the fourth and third millennia B.C. in Mesopotamia and the Aegean Islands, their virtuosity of execution suggesting an old tradition rooted in the earlier centuries. However, the gems from Ancient Greece and Rome are worthy of special attention for it was then and there that the expressive and aesthetic language of glyptics was truly born. It was also during the period that portrait gems emerged. This Classical Revival intaglio, depicting an ancient Roman Emperor, depicts this classic tradition of accomplished carving and the portrayal of handsome beauty that is indeed exceptional. This elegant intaglio, set in a gold ring that complements its ageless beauty, is a testament to the heritage of stone sculpting . . . an artistry whose greatness belies the small scale of the finished work of art. The wearer of this ring will experience both a spiritual connection with the ancient world and a feeling of regal power that equals the intrinsic beauty of this exquisite work of art.