Details

LOT 0186

Roman Gold Ring with Pair of Birds on Nicolo Gemstone

2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.

1 in. (5.75 grams, 25.12 mm overall, 14.69 x 18.30 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J, USA 4 3/4, Europe 8.69, Japan 8)).

With a hollow-form hoop expanding at the shoulders, raised bezel set with a dark blue nicolo intaglio engraved with a pair of birds, one standing and the other stooped to pick something from the ground with its beak.

Provenance

From the collection of late AB, London, UK, 1990s.

Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.

Literature

Cf. Ruseva-Slokoska, L., Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, items 196-199, for type.

Footnotes

The type of ring (type II, variant I of Ruseva-Slokoska classification) is characterised by the ellipsoid hoop, rounded on the outside, widening to a horizontal triangular shape. The nicolo was often employed in rings of the 2nd-3rd century A.D.