Vintage 18k Gold Hardstone Intaglio Signet Ring

This 18k yellow gold ring is set with an oval black and white hardstone intaglio, depicting a classical male sculptor at work. The finely engraved scene shows the figure seated as he carves a sculpture using a hammer and tool, a subject rooted in Greco Roman tradition and reflective of the enduring neoclassical revival seen throughout the 20th century. The intaglio is cut into the surface of the stone rather than raised, demonstrating traditional intaglio technique and creating contrast between the dark ground and lighter carved layers. The stone is framed within a smooth bezel setting, mounted in a substantial yellow gold ring with a softly tapered shank. The ring weighs 11.3 grams, with the face measuring 3/4 inch in length and 5/8 inch in width. Due to the oval shape, the ring reads as a size 6 on a mandrel but fits closer to a size 7.5 to 8 when worn, as shown on a size 8 finger.