Details

LOT 0714

Roman Silver Ring with Poseidon Gemstone

1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.

1 in. (4.97 grams, 26.02 mm overall, 18.30 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)).

With elliptical cell, inset carnelian cabochon with intaglio figure of Poseidon standing naked, only covered by a cloak on his shoulders, holding a trident with left hand, and a net with a stylised dolphin(?) with the right hand; possibly a marriage.

Provenance

UK private collection formed before 2000.
Ex North London, UK, gallery.

Literature

Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, 207, for type; Katsonopoulou, D., ‘Further insights on the cult of Poseidon Helikonios in Helike (IV)’ in Katsonopoulou, D. (ed.), Poseidon God of Earthquakes and Waters Cult and Sanctuaries, Athens, 2017, pp.17-33, figs.8a and 9.

Footnotes

On issues of the Roman colonial coinage of Patras, the image of nude standing Poseidon holding a trident and dolphin is reproduced simultaneously with the most common representations of the god shown standing with one foot resting on a support (rock or dolphin). This type of standing nude Poseidon holding a trident in his left hand and a dolphin in his right is also pictured on the reverse of coins of Agion.