A North-West Indian gold ring with garnet intaglio. Bust of man with inscriptions.

5th-6th century A.D

Intaglio : 10 x 13 mmRing : 16 x 13 mm11,47 gr

A large hollowed hoop, rounded without, flatten within. The oval bezel set with a nice thick intaglio. Gold sphere on the hoop, to mark the sens of impression. The male bust is turned on the left. Clean-shaved, but has a moustache. He wears an earring with two circular pendants. On the edge, clockwise, Brahmi script. Rare.

Parallels: J. Spier, J. Ogden, Rings of the ancient world, p. 53 n. 16; Henig, M., Classical Gems, 1994, p.216-217, n°484-488.

U.K. private collection, London.

Estimate: GBP 3000 - 5000