A greek gold ring. Two cranes. The engraved bezel has the shape of a Beotian shield (about the shape of the Boetian Shields, see. Greek coinages, e.g. Theban Statere, HGC 4, 1332-1334) . The sample is delicately engraved and characterized by a sketched decoration between the bezel and the hoop endings. End of the 6th century B.C. For comparisons: J. Boardman, Greek gems and finger rings. Early bronze age to Late Classical, p. 188 nn.436. This prototype has also been retrieved by etruscan jewellery in the 4th century B.C. (see Metropolitan Museum Database, inv. n. 95.15.309).
ring diam. 1,6 x 17 mm; gr. 2,25.