Roman 22K+ Gold & Sardonyx Intaglio Ring w/Hippocamp

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd to 4th century CE. A beautiful ring comprised of 92.5% gold (equivalent to 22K+) with an elegantly curved band and an ovoid inset banded sardonyx intaglio displaying an incised image of a hippocamp striding/swimming left in profile. The ancients, according to scholars, believed that hippocamps were the adult versions of the petite creature that we now call the sea-horse. The mythical sea-horse known as the hippocamp (also spelled hippokampe, hippocampus, hippokampos) was described by Pausanias as a horse, but with the part of its body below the breast representing that of a sea monster or fish. This creature is mentioned in Homeric poems as a symbol of Poseidon (identified as Neptune by Romans) who famously rode a chariot pulled across the sea by horses. A fabulous and wearable example of ancient high-quality artistry! US ring size: 1.5. Size: opening measures .7" L x .625" W (1.8 cm x 1.6 cm); sardonyx intaglio measures .5" L x .375" W (1.3 cm x 1 cm)

Provenance: ex-Johnson collection, Houston, Texas acquired at auction in New York between 2010 and 2013

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#153414
Condition Report: A few surface nicks and scuffs to sardonyx and normal surface wear to the gold shank with minute scuffs commensurate with age. Hippocamp image is vivid.