This French ring dates from around 1780. The ring is crafted in 18 carat gold with under glass a gouache on ivory signed by Jacques-Jospeh de Gault (1738 - 1812). Both the ring and gouache are original and in perfect condition. On this miniature is on a grey background in different shades of white an elegant painting of the god Bacchus. In one hand Bacchus holds a thyrsus, a staff with a pine apple at the end which is the symbol for Bacchus. In the other hand Bacchus holds an amphora. If you look at the ring your eye is deceived, because the picture looks as a grey and white cameo that was cut from an agate hardstone. Only when you look really closely or with a magnifier, you realize that this apparent cameo is in fact painted. It is a minuscule tompe l’oeil!
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