Ancient Roman Medusa Cameo Ring
From the Journal
Intaglio Rings and Jewellery: A Collector's Guide
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A small ancient Roman gold ring of the 2nd to 3rd century AD, set with an onyx cameo of Medusa.The white layered onyx is carved with Medusa's head, her hair a crosshatch of snakes. One of the three Gorgons of Greek myth, she turned to stone anyone who met her gaze. Her image, the Gorgoneion, was believed to protect, and from the Hellenistic period it appeared everywhere, from tombs and buildings to weapons, earrings and rings. Roman women wore it as an amulet against unwanted glances, and in myth it was worn by Athena on her aegis, and by Zeus.Comparable Medusa cameos and this ring type are in the British Museum, the Met and the Alice and Louis Koch collection (items 307, 358, 362, 364 and 395); see the final photos.The cameo sits in its original mount of thick, hammered high-karat gold with a conical bezel. Very small, it is a ring for a collector of over 1800 years of history.Details: 2nd–3rd century AD; Roman; unmarked, tests as high-karat gold (21K); onyx cameo 8mm x 7mm x 5mm; UK C½, US 1½ (very small, internal diameter 14mm).Condition: Somewhat fragile given its age and construction, so not recommended for regular wear.
A small ancient Roman gold ring of the 2nd to 3rd century AD, set with an onyx cameo of Medusa.
The white layered onyx is carved with Medusa's head, her hair a crosshatch of snakes. One of the three Gorgons of Greek myth, she turned to stone anyone who met her gaze. Her image, the Gorgoneion, was believed to protect, and from the Hellenistic period it appeared everywhere, from tombs and buildings to weapons, earrings and rings. Roman women wore it as an amulet against unwanted glances, and in myth it was worn by Athena on her aegis, and by Zeus.
Comparable Medusa cameos and this ring type are in the British Museum, the Met and the Alice and Louis Koch collection (items 307, 358, 362, 364 and 395); see the final photos.
The cameo sits in its original mount of thick, hammered high-karat gold with a conical bezel. Very small, it is a ring for a collector of over 1800 years of history.
Details: 2nd–3rd century AD; Roman; unmarked, tests as high-karat gold (21K); onyx cameo 8mm x 7mm x 5mm; UK C½, US 1½ (very small, internal diameter 14mm).
Condition: Somewhat fragile given its age and construction, so not recommended for regular wear.
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