Created in high carat gold, this is a completely original Greco / Egyptian gold snake ring. The body of the ring is coiled in a double spiral, terminating with the head and tail that are both detailed with incised lines. The head of the snake is thrust out to the front and carries two incised holes for the eyes that originally would have contained inlays - most probably of emerald. Irregular incised circles are indicated throughout the outside of the body in imitation of scales. This gives the ring a somewhat unusual surface textile that reflect the light thus producing overall, a quite striking effect. As the ring lacks the more embellished attributes typical of the Roman culture, I would date it to the Ptolemaic period 3rd - 2nd century BC. There are a number of parallels for type published in: A Catalogue of the finger rings Greek, Etruscan, Roman in the Departments of Antiquities British Museum (Marshall, 1968) Nos. 931 - 935 and Anna Beatriz Chadour; "Rings. The Alice Louis Koch Collection. volume.2 (Leeds, 1994)" no.120 and S. De Ricci; "Catalogue of a collection of ancient rings formed by the late E. Guilhou (2nd Edition) (Somerset) no.120." The ring measures to a US size 6 1/2 - 7 so could be worn by both men and women.

PROVENANCE: Ex-George Ollinger private collection.


(there is a reserve on this lot)

The ring is intact and in fine condition overall, the eye inlays (most probably emerald) are now missing but this does not detract. Some dark age deposits remain to the head and body.