{"product_id":"roman-silver-ring-gressus-2nd-5th-c-ce-animal-intaglio","title":"Roman Silver Ring - 'Gressus' (ca. 2nd–5th c. CE) EU 58.25 \/ US 8.5","description":"\u003cp\u003eA silver signet ring named 'Gressus', set with a Roman intaglio in reddish-brown stone: a quadruped walking left, cut to serve as a personal seal. A broad collar on a raised plate holds the oval gem above a faceted hoop.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Engraving:\u003cbr\u003eThe quadruped walks to the left, its long body cut as a rounded oval and its legs as a few short strokes, with a fan of diagonal lines at one end. Beyond the rounded body, the cutter kept to straight strokes and left out fine detail. On a seal stone, an animal like this served as its owner's sign, read in the wax like a written name.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDetails:\u003cbr\u003eEra: Roman\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Silver, reddish-brown stone intaglio\u003cbr\u003eRing Size: EU 58.25 \/ US 8.5\u003cbr\u003eWeight: 4 g\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Dark grey tarnish, rubbed lighter on the facets; small pits on the shoulders; a buff deposit inside the hoop; scratches and a dark spot on the stone; a slight gap between stone and collar\u003cbr\u003eProvenance: Private UK collection; previously acquired on the Austrian art market in the 1990s.\u003cbr\u003eUnique Identifier: R-644-S\u003cbr\u003eAuthenticity: Comes with certificate of authenticity\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCondition and Authenticity:\u003cbr\u003eThis original comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and our written lifetime authenticity guarantee.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHistorical Context:\u003cbr\u003eRoman intaglios were cut in reverse into the polished face of the stone, so that the device came out the right way round in wax. A seal pressed onto a letter or the lid of a jar showed that nothing had been opened since it was sealed. The silver mount, possibly later than the gem, holds it in a broad collar. Animals belonged to the gem cutters' stock of devices, chosen for the qualities a creature stood for or as a play on the owner's name.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe walking animal on this reddish-brown stone was made to stand in wax for one owner.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExplore more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ancient-roman-rings\"\u003eRoman rings\u003c\/a\u003e from our collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64264806662474,"sku":"R-644-S","price":1100.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/gressus-angled-front-view-of-the-silver-ring-and-its-small-oval-intaglio-1.jpg?v=1794040696","url":"https:\/\/auroraantiqua.com\/products\/roman-silver-ring-gressus-2nd-5th-c-ce-animal-intaglio","provider":"Aurora Antiqua","version":"1.0","type":"link"}