ROMAN GOLD SNAKE RING WITH GARNET

Ca. 100 BC - AD 100 or later.
A possibly Roman 21.5 gold snake ring. Formed from a stout wire, the body is coiled and the neck twisted. The snake is decorated with detailed eyes at the head and scales leading all the way to the tail. The mid-section of the ring is embellished with a teardrop garnet cabochon. For similar see: Christies, Live auction 2057, Ancient Jewelries, Lot. 266. This piece has undergone X-ray fluorescence analysis to confirm the metallurgical content suggesting its ancient origin and lack of modern trace elements.
Size: D:18.54mm / US: 8 1/2 / UK: Q 1/2; Weight: 12g
Provenance: Private Central London collection; ex. UK art market 1990s. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.