Roman Gold Ring with Amphora Gemstone. 3rd century A.D. A gold ring of irregular ellipsoid shape, with trapezium-shaped section, widening toward the conical shoulders, hexagonal bezel; set with a red jasper gemstone bearing the intaglio image of a kantharos. Cf. Ruseva-Slokoska, L., Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, item 183, for the type; cf. also Chadour, A.B., The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, Volume I, Leeds, 1994, items 344-347, with gemstones inserts. 4.35 grams, 21.19 mm overall, 18.31 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15) (3/4 in.) European private collection, 1970-1980s. London, UK, late 1990s. The ring belongs to the type VII, variant 1, of the Ruseva-Slokoska typology. The ring type with conical shoulders is typical of the 3rd century A.D. The kantharos was a symbol of rebirth or resurrection, the immortality offered by wine, according to G.V. Elderkin ‘removing in moments of ecstasy the burden of self-consciousness and elevating man to the rank of deity’. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website]

Fine condition.