This Greco-Roman ring has a gold, simple band and round setting for a carved inset made of dark grey chalcedony, a type of quartz. The bas relief carving in the center of the ring appears to have rough approximations of various sea creatures, including two fish, a crab and possibly an octopus. It is uncertain if this ring was used as a seal or was simply decorative.
Greco-Roman
Intaglio Ring,
332 BCE - 395 CE
Chalcedony set in gold
,
1.7 cm (11/16 in.)
Object details
Accession number
M18e115
Primary Creator
Greco-Roman
Full title
Intaglio Ring
Creation Date
332 BCE - 395 CE
Provenance
Gift from the librarian and autograph collector Theodore F. Dwight (1846-1917) to Isabella Stewart Gardner, after 1919.
Dimensions
1.7 cm (11/16 in.)
Display Media
Chalcedony set in gold
Dimension Notes
Length of intaglio 1/2 inch; diameter or ring 11/16 inch.
Web Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.
Permanent Gallery Location
Little Salon
Rights and reproductions
The use of images, text, and all other media found on this website is limited. Please review Rights and Reproductions for details.
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.