RARE Snettisham Type Silver Roman Intaglio Ring of Ceres

Code: 10156

This is an ancient Roman silver intaglio ring, dating to the 2nd century A.D. It is set with its original sard / dark red carnelian gemstone, simply cut with a stylized image of the goddess Ceres. She holds ears of corn in her left hand and a dish in her right, in front of her appears to represent a tripod altar or incense. Similar gem intaglios were found in the Snettisham Jewelers hoard, dated to c. 155 A.D. 

Ceres was the goddess of agriculture, so the original owner would have been connected with farming and trade. The intaglio used to seal and authenticate letters and transactions.

The ring is in excellent excavated condition, with the original gem. The lower band has an ancient cut mark to test for plated silver. This ring is solid silver, though slightly debased. The gem is a little loose in the mount but stable.

OBJECT: Intaglio Ring

CULTURE: Roman

DATE: c. 2nd century A.D.

MATERIAL: Silver & Sard / Carnelian

RING SIZE: 5 1/4 (US) K (UK)

SIZE: 20.21mm x 22.12mm x 10.73mm (intaglio 11.78mm x 8.43mm)

WEIGHT: 6.3 grams

PROVENANCE: Ex. European private collection.