Object Description
An elegant silver Roman ring decorated with a dark blue oval intaglio. The ring features a round section hoop which expands at the shoulders, and set with an oval bezel. The raised intaglio, of a two-tone blue colouring, features a simplistic design of a ship, most likely a Roman Galley, with numerous oars and three circular standards. The blue intaglio is most likely glass paste, used to imitate the more expensive agate Nicolo stone.
This ring uses glass paste to imitate the nicolo technique. Nicolo refers to the cutting of onyx agate, in order to leave a thin layer of faint whitish blue stone, set over a thicker layer of black. Glass paste would have been much more affordable than semi-precious agate.
Closest UK Ring Size: D
Date: Circa 3rd Century AD