ROMAN GOLD RING WITH JASPER GRYLLOS INTAGLIO

Ca. 100-300 AD
A fine gold finger ring of a round-section hoop expanding to form an oval bezel set with a jasper intaglio engraved with Gryllos - a parodistic figure composed of a bearded face of Silenus facing right, an equine protome on the top, and ram head facing left. The hybrid stands on rooster legs. Cf. G.M.A. Richer, Catalogue of engraved gems. Greek, Etruscan, and Roman (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York), Plate LXIII.
Size: D: 19.76mm / US: 10 / UK: T 1/2; 9.79g
Provenance: Private London collection; ex. Japanese collection 1990s.
Estimate: GBP 2000 - 3000