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Fine Roman Gold Finger Ring with Carnelian Stone
Circa 2nd Century AD
Description: Wonderful Roman finger ring with solid beaded hoop and raised funnel-shaped setting holding a polished dark carnelian stone incised with a star pattern. Hoop is "pure" gold, which for ancients varies between 22-24k.
Size: 8-8.5 (approximately 18.4 mm in diameter)
Condition: Intact. Hoop ever so slightly misshapen as shown.
Background: The star is quite often associated with the Dioscuri, twin brothers born of Leda (of Leda and the Swan, i.e., Zeus, fame). The brothers are also thought to be siblings of Helen of Troy. The star is also popular from the 2nd-4th centuries for its astrological/magical powers. There are gem stones known with a crescent moon and three stars, for instance. They were thought to provide the wearer with special protection, luck and good fortune. Other examples depicting a star are gems with the deity Helios (sun god), who is depicted wearing a headdress of rays with stars in the background.
Reference: See Charles Ede, Collecting Antiquities, #356, for a beaded hoop and raised setting also dated to the 2nd century AD.
Provenance: Formerly in a British private collection.
Price: SOLD
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