Roman, circa 2nd – 1st centuries BC
A museum quality, finely modeled, high carat (approximately 22.5K), hollow gold signet ring is set with an oval amethyst intaglio.
The intaglio is engraved with a she-wolf, the symbol of Rome.
The far left of the intaglio is engraved with a branch of a wild fig tree (Ficus Ruminalis) which was a religious symbol in ancient Rome. The tree stood near the cave at the foot of the Palatine Hill, at the very spot where according to tradition, the floating cradle of Romulus and Remus (the founders of Rome) landed on the banks of the Tiber river. There they were found and nurtured by the she-wolf.
The she-wolf and the fig tree first appeared on Roman coins in the 3rd century BC and continued to be featured in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. The coin depicting the she-wolf is a Roman silver coin from 77 BC.
Two similarly modeled hollow gold Roman rings with intaglios are published in the Treasures of The Ferrell Collection by Jeffrey Spier, page 55, No. 31 and 32.
The amethyst intaglio measures 8.3 x 6 mm.
Weight 3.58 grams
Metal analysis report: 93.24% gold, 3.59% silver, 3.18% copper.
All original, intact and wearable.
The ring should fit sizes 9.5 – 10.5. Please note that this ring is not resizable.
