Details
A ROMAN GOLD AND CARNELIAN FINGER RING
CIRCA 3RD CENTURY A.D.
The hoop rounded on the exterior, flat on the interior, the oval bezel overlapping the shoulders, centered by a raised collar, set with a flat carnelian, engraved with a Greek inscription reading: "Lion, binding all the way, gold-guardian," the central row divided by an ant
1316 in. (2 cm.) wide; ring size 7

PROVENANCE
with Joseph G. Gerena, New York, 1999.
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Lot Essay

These words are seemingly “words of power,” meaning they are magical in nature. Roman gemstones were often engraved with inscriptions to give them the amuletic powers such as protection or good fortune.

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Ancient Jewelry: Wearable Art
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