ROMAN GARNET INTAGLIO IN GOLD RING WITH A HAND HOLDING EARS OF GRAIN, CADUCEUS, POPPY SEED HEAD, AND A WREATH

Ca. 1-200 AD
A Roman garnet intaglio set into a later gold ring (Byzantine, 9th-12th century AD). The intaglio is meticulously adorned with a plethora of symbolic elements, embodies the profound artistic expression found in Roman glyptic art. The centerpiece of this exquisite artifact showcases a delicately engraved hand clasping a bundle of ears of grain, a caduceus, a poppy seed head, and a wreath. Collectively, these motifs evoke notions of abundance and prosperity, encapsulating the aspirations and beliefs of Roman society. The depiction of the hand holding ears of grain serves as a potent symbol of fertility, agricultural abundance, and nourishment. In Roman culture, grain was not only a vital staple but also represented the bountiful harvests necessary for the sustenance and prosperity of the empire. The hand, a universal symbol of human agency and dexterity, further reinforces the human connection to the cultivation of crops and the subsequent rewards of abundance. The inclusion of the caduceus adds another layer of significance to the composition. As a symbol associated with the Greek god Hermes and later adopted by the Romans, the caduceus embodies messages of commerce, diplomacy, and transcendent power. Its presence within this glyptic scene suggests the influence of trade and prosperity, emphasizing the interconnectedness between economic success and the broader societal fabric.
Size: D: 17.32mm / US: 7 / UK: N 1/2; 9.45g
Provenance: Private UK collection; Ex. old Swiss family collection formed in the 1990s.
Estimate: GBP 4000 - 6000