Roman Empire, circa 1st century AD
This large hollow gold ring features a carnelian intaglio set in a raised broad bezel. The intaglio is engraved with the Roman goddess Minerva. She is wearing a crested helmet and a long tunic. Minerva is holding a thunderbolt in the right hand and a spear and a shield in the left hand.
The ring is crafted in high karat gold, approximately 21.76 Kt.
The bezel is slightly raised, with a collar enclosing the intaglio. A closely related (model) Roman gold ring is published in Rings of the Ancient World by Jeffrey Spier and Jack Ogden no.38, page 97.
The depiction of Minerva on this ring is similar to the depiction of Minerva on silver coins of the Roman Emperor Domitian.
Metal analysis: 90.69% gold, 7.46% silver, 1.84% copper.
Weight is 8.42 grams.
The ring is in wearable condition. The rim of the gold bezel is partially worn out. At some point in the past, the intaglio had been secured in the bezel, apparently, with epoxy.
The intaglio measures 16 x 12 mm (5/8 x 7/16 in.)
Height of the bezel is 5 mm (3/16 in.)
Ring size 10 (21 mm)
