ANCIENT ROME 100-200 AD Signet Intaglio Ring In 23Kt Yellow Gold & Carved Carnelian
An ancient Roman signet intaglio ring.
This is an exceptional and beautiful historical ring, created during the ancient Roman Empire, circa 100-200 AD. This rare one-of-a-kind intaglio signet ring, was masterfully crafted with plain smooth surfaces in rich yellow gold of 23 karats and embellished with an intaglio showing the allegorical Roman figure of agriculture and fertility, the goddess Ceres. This ring is of utmost importance, due to its size and the extreme quality of its manufacturing. Surely this ring belonged to a Roman nobleman or an extremely rich person. It is truly a miracle that this ring has survived for almost two thousand years in the conditions it presents.
Ceres
In ancient Roman religion, agriculture was an important part of life and was idealized as a way of life. The Roman gods and goddesses of agriculture include: Ceres, the goddess of agriculture, grain crops, fertility, and motherly relationships. She is often depicted with crops like barley and wheat, or a cornucopia of produce. Ceres is the only Roman agricultural deity to be listed among the Dei-Consentes, Rome's equivalent to the Twelve Olympians of Greek mythology. Ceres had the power to fertilize, multiply and fructify plant and animal seed, and her laws and rites protected all activities of the agricultural cycle. In January, Ceres (alongside the earth-goddess Tellus) was offered spelt wheat and a pregnant sow, at the movable Feriae Sementivae.
Intaglio
This is an engraved gem, frequently is a small and usually semi-precious gemstone that has been carved, in the Western tradition normally with images or inscriptions only on one face. The engraving of gemstones was a major luxury art form in the Ancient world, and an important one in some later periods. Strictly speaking, engraving means carving in intaglio (with the design cut into the flat background of the stone), but relief carvings (with the design projecting out of the background as in nearly all cameos) are also covered by the term. This article uses cameo in its strict sense, to denote a carving exploiting layers of differently coloured stone. The activity is also called gem carving and the artists gem-cutters. References to antique gems and intaglios in a jewellery context will almost always mean carved gems; when referring to monumental sculpture, counter-relief, meaning the same as intaglio, is more likely to be used. Vessels like the Cup of the Ptolemies and heads or figures carved in the round are also known as hardstone carvings.
Carnelian: Mount on top in an oval bezel, with 1 semi-oval cabochon cut carved from natural carnelian, made into an intaglio with the figure of Ceres draped and standing to the left, holding a hoe, two wheat branches and an agricultural instrument at her feet.
Birthstone: Carnelian for the month of July.
Weight: 9.1 Grams, (5.85 Dwt).
Size: 8.5 and can be only sized with an adapter to avoid any alteration to the antiquity.
Measurements: 27 mm by 21 mm (0.87 x 0.51 x 0.15 Inches) and raise 7 mm over the finger.
Hallmarks: None, electronically tested for 23 karats gold (.9583/.9999 Au)
Collateral: This ancient Rome ring is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of this ancient Roman ring is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold. The intaglio is secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: R111424SENM/.2770
