Roman Silver Ring with Intaglio of a Hunting Scene

£ 1,150.00

A stylish Roman silver signet ring featuring a round section hoop, expanding shoulders, and an oval bezel. The oval bezel is set with a blue intaglio made from glass paste, to imitate the more expensive nicolo agate. It displays an active depiction of a hunting scene, comprised of a figure astride a horse in mid gallop and a feline, its head twisted to face the horseman.

Closest UK Ring Size: J

Date: Circa 1st - 3rd Century AD
Condition: Excellent Condition

In stock

SKU: SA-65 Category: Tags: , , ,

The ancient Romans considered jewellery to be an essential accessory, for it provided a public display of their wealth. Roman jewellery at first followed trends set by the Etruscans, using gold and glass beads, but as the power and spread of the Roman Empire increased, so too did jewellery designs became increasingly elaborate. Different cultural styles from Greece, Egypt, North Africa, and the Orient were all incorporated to reflect Rome’s prosperity as a dominant, conquering city. The custom of wearing rings was popular amongst the Romans, and was probably introduced by the Sabines, who are described in early legends as wearing gold rings with precious stones. During the Roman Republic it became customary for all the senators, chief magistrates, and at last for the equites also, to wear intaglio rings.

The intaglio within this stone has been made using a blue glass paste, of two varying hues, to imitate the semi-precious Nicolo agate. Nicolo refers to the technique of cutting onyx agate, in order to leave a thin layer of faint whitish blue stone set over a thicker layer of black.

To find out more about the different stones used in Roman jewellery please see our relevant blog post: The History and Mythology of Gemstones in Ancient Jewellery.

Weight 12.8 g
Dimensions W 2.1 cm
Culture

Glass

Metal

Region

Reference: For Similar: The British Museum, London, item number 1986,0803.1

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