LOT 0125

Roman Silver Ring with Warrior Gemstone

2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.

1 1/8 in. (8.11 grams, 27.11 mm overall, 20.96 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)).

With ellipsoid plaque and inset carnelian cloison with intaglio kneeling warrior with Pseudo-Attic helmet pushed back from the face, domed shield on one arm and sword held upright in the other hand supported by the knee.

Acquired on the European art market in the 1990s.
UK collection of a European gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Cf. Marshall, F. M., Catalogue of the Finger Rings Greek, Etruscan and Roman in the Departments of Antiquities of the British Museum, London, 1968; Spier, J., Ancient Gems and Finger Rings, Malibu, 1992, figs.50, 112 (crouching warrior); Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 87, for type of ring; item 123, for the type of ring and the image of a crouching warrior; Boardman, J., Greek gems and finger rings, London, 2001, fig.213.

The motif of a nude kneeling warrior with weapons is certainly visible in the repertory of the Greek gemstones since the Archaic and classical age. The scene possibly alludes to the incident in the Trojan Cycle where Achilles is wounded by an arrow in his heel, the only part of his body which was not impervious to injury.