Ancient Greek Bronze Signet Ring with Dolphin

£ 175.00

An Ancient Greek bronze signet ring featuring a round section hoop with expanding shoulders and raised oval bezel. Incised engravings decorate the bezel with the crude depiction of a dolphin with its tail raised. Such ring would have been used to authenticate or sign documents.

Closest UK ring size: D.

Date: Circa 1st-3rd century AD
Condition: Good condition, the hoop displays irregular edges.

SOLD

SKU: MG-205 Category: Tags: ,

Intaglio rings were a popular style of jewellery in Ancient Greece and across the Roman Empire. The nature of their individual production meant there was a wide variety of designs and detailings however, there were common themes, such as certain gods which were especially popular and more earthly themes such as animals and mortal figures. In Ancient Greek and Roman mythology dolphins were associated with the sea and with the sphere of sensual love, bearing an amatory symbolism. Because of the assonance between the ancient Greek word δελφίς (delphis), meaning dolphin, and the word δελφύς (delphus), meaning womb, dolphins were considered animals sacred to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, fertility and desire.

Weight 2.8 g
Dimensions W 1.7 cm
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