Achilles carrying the dead body of Patroclus

Oval carnelian intaglio, Achilles kneeling and steadying himself with a dagger point to the ground, the shield in his left hand protecting the body of Patroclus over his shoulder.

Achillies gave the armour he received from his father to Patroclus in order that he may impersonate him and beat the Trojans back to their ships. After succeeding in this Patroclus defied Achilles' order to return, and pursued the Trojans back to the gates of Troy where he killed many Trojans, including a son of Zeus, Sarpedon.

During this battle Patroclus' wits were removed by Apollo, then he was killed by Hector, stabbing him in the stomach with a spear and stripping him of his armour. A grief stricken Achilles retrieved his body, only allowing a funeral after the ghost of Patroclus appeared and demanded one in order to pass into Hades

Mounted as a ring in yellow high-carat gold with wonderful heavily floral chased wide shoulders c.1840

The head approximately 20 x 15mm
15.4g gross

Finger size UK - W, US - 11 1/8, FR - 65 but easily altered

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