A roman red jasper intaglio mounted on a silver ring. Ibis on a turtle with a snake.

2nd century A.D.

Stone 10 x 12 mm; ring size 17 x 18 mm; 3,50 gr.

The oval stone is depicting an ibis standing and turned left catching/eating a snake with its beak. He is standing on top of a turtle. Groundline. The references to the god Mercury are various in this scene— the ibis bird, also known as the animal representation of the god Thot, egyptian pendant of Hermes; the turtle closely linked to Hermes and seen as his animal-attribute (Hermes made the first lyre with a turtle’s shell, see Homeric Hymn to Hermes, 24-61). Early 20th century silver mounting, the shoulders decorated with engraved leaves. Published in: Theodora Hadzisteliou Price, "An Ionian Silver Ring with Sard" in Antike Kunst, 15, 1972, pp. 60-63.

From the old collection of Prof. Constantine Athanasius Trypanis (1909-1993), found on the lands of his father Athanasius G. Trypanus in 1905.

Estimate: GBP 2000 - 2500