Ptolemaic Dynasty, 3rd century BC or later. A solid gold D-shaped finger ring, D-section hoop with large oval bezel featuring intricately modelled portrait of a female member of the Ptolemaic dynasty in raised relief, in profile facing left; the queen is most likely Berenice II (267/266 - 221 BC), wearing a diadem, her elaborately coiffed hair tied in a bun at the back of her head and covered with a cloth. Two very similar portrait rings are known from the collection of the British Museum, cf. Marshall, F. H., Catalogue of the Finger Rings, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman, in the Departments of Antiquities, British Museum, 1907, 200, no.1267 and 1268; for literature on Berenice II, see van Oppen de Ruiter, B., Berenice II Euergetis: Essays in Early Hellenistic Queenship, 2016.14.18 grams, 22.10mm overall, 18.37mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 88, Europe 17.49, Japan 16) (1"). From a private South German collection; acquired in the 1980s; accompanied by an independent specialist report and valuation by graduate gemmologist and jewellery expert Anna Rogers, GIA GG, BA, Gem-A, ref. no. 171041/07/12/2020; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10501-171041. Berenice II was wife and co-regent of Ptolemy III Euergetes. She became known above all by the episode about one of her curls. She dedicated a curl in the Temple of Arsino?, and it disappeared from the sanctuary the following day. The court astronomer Konon of Samos investigated the matter and found the curl had been moved among the stars by the gods, for it could be seen as a new asterism in the night sky. This constellation was then given the name Coma Berenices, Curl of Berenice, which is still used by astronomers today. [A video of this lot is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition. A large wearable size.