21K Gold Swivel Ring w/ Roman Gnostic Gem, Hematite

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A truly fascinating ovoid hematite Gnostic gem, also known as a magical gem, an intaglio bearing spells. The stone is a dark, almost black brown, with a silvery sheen in direct light. On both sides are cryptic incised motifs, some anthropomorphic, others drawn from Greek and Semitic alphabets changed to create more occult meaning. This intaglio is held in a modern band of 21K gold which is suspended on a broad gold half-circle by two gold pins, allowing it to swivel from side to side. Size: 1.25" W x 1.2" H (3.2 cm x 3 cm); gold is 21K; total weight is 5 grams

Romans who believed in Gnosticism, a religious and philosophical ideology popular from the 1st to the 3rd century CE, often carried magical gems like this one. They bore inscriptions: Voces magicae, or the names of the gods, as well as prayers. Gnostics believed in the great power of words, but also that to reach the gods, they had to transcend ordinary language. Unfortunately, little is known about the Gnostics as much of what they left behind was destroyed as heresy when Rome converted to Christianity.

To learn more about Gnostic gems, see The Polish Journal of the Arts and Culture, No. 13 (1/2015): "Elements of Gnostic Concepts in Depictions on Magical Gems" by Graznya Bakowska-Czerner.

Provenance: ex-private California, USA collection

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#148864
Condition Report: Intaglio has light wear commensurate with age, but the motifs on both of its faces are very clear and easy to discern. Gold is modern.