Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A beautiful and wearable ring of a petite size made from 97.5% gold (equivalent to 22K+). The slender shank gradually widens to form the broad shoulders and ovoid bezel on top. Within the bezel is a translucent, crimson-hued garnet intaglio bearing the incised image of a recumbent bull facing to the left with its head reared to showcase its majestic horns. Bulls and their symbolic likeness have a significant history throughout the ancient world. The bull was central to the Roman's cult of Mithras with their central tenant of tauroctony, the sacred slaying of the bull. Size (ring): 0.7" W x 0.8" H (1.8 cm x 2 cm); (intaglio): 0.6" L x 0.4" W (1.5 cm x 1 cm); quality of gold: 97.5% (equivalent to 22K+); total weight: 6.3 grams; US ring size 1.5

Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities, New York, New York, USA, acquired 1970s to 2000s

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#158998

Wearable as shown. Minor abrasions and indentations to ring shoulders and shank, with small nicks to intaglio surfaces, otherwise intact and very good. Beautiful patina to gold ring and great preservation to incised intaglio imagery.