Object Description
A very fine, ancient Roman gold ring featuring an engraved, banded agate, intaglio. The ring hoop has a slightly angular outline with sloping shoulders leading to a raised ridge. A groove decorates the outside of the band starting below the shoulders. The oval bezel is set with an agate intaglio, delicately carved with the image of a standing nude male, facing left. He has one hand raised above his head, holding a tool and the other hovering above the open fire. The pose suggests that the figure is in the process of forging something. Thus, he most likely represents the god Vulcan, the Roman blacksmith-god whose Greek counterpart was Hephaistos. The sides of the agate are smooth and slope towards the obverse face. A ring of white encircles the lip of the stone, highlighting the central scene.
Closest UK Ring Size: M
Internal Diameter: 1.5cm
Date: Circa 1st-3rd Century AD