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A scarce early Javanese gold and carnelian intaglio ring, dating from the 8th-10th century Indonesian Classical period.
As expected with Javanese intaglio rings made in this period, the present ring is crafted high-karat gold of a hollow construction with the intaglio held into position by four wedge-shaped prongs. The ring has a circular bezel, holding a carnelian gemstone engraved with the ’Sri’ symbol which is associated with the Javanese goddess Dewi Sri, the goddess of fertility, prosperity and rice. Rings with Sri motifs were believed to bring good fortune to the wearer. The protuberant, stirrup-shaped shoulders of the ring are designed to mimic the shape of water buffalo horns, another typical characteristic of Javanese rings.
Most of the gemstones found on early Javanese rings are not local actually to Java, they were in fact often imported from West Asia, India or other centres of Southeast Asia. The stones on these ancient gem-encrusted Javanese rings were not only chosen for their beauty and value, but also for their supposed astrological, magical and medicinal powers.
Similar referenced examples can be found in the Met Museum (Accession number: 1998.544.298) as well as items 00069 and 08784 in ‘Java Gold: The Wealth of Rings’ by Pernicka and Lockhoff (2018).
UK ring size K 1/2, US size 5.5
The ring weighs 9.57 grams of high karat gold (19K/20K gold). Intaglio measures 10mm x 9mm.
Despite its impressive age, the ring is in good and wearable condition, and the stone is securely set.
One of the largest and most important islands in the Indonesian archipelago, Java has long been a great centre of art and civilisation. Gold finger rings are the most common form of jewellery found on ancient Java. Inventories of gold artefacts found in archaeological excavations reinforce the notion that rings were ubiquitous during this period. Not only was gold jewellery a significant symbol of wealth, status and power - but it was also used a currency in itself and functioned as standardised payment for numerous goods and services like salaries, fines and wedding banquets. In ancient Java, rings were also believed to have magical properties; predominantly the ability to bring good fortune and protection to the wearer. In fact, the literal meaning of the word ‘ring’ in Old Javanese translates to ‘guardian against enemy’.
A scarce early Javanese gold and carnelian intaglio ring, dating from the 8th-10th century Indonesian Classical period.
As expected with Javanese intaglio rings made in this period, the present ring is crafted high-karat gold of a hollow construction with the intaglio held into position by four wedge-shaped prongs. The ring has a circular bezel, holding a carnelian gemstone engraved with the ’Sri’ symbol which is associated with the Javanese goddess Dewi Sri, the goddess of fertility, prosperity and rice. Rings with Sri motifs were believed to bring good fortune to the wearer. The protuberant, stirrup-shaped shoulders of the ring are designed to mimic the shape of water buffalo horns, another typical characteristic of Javanese rings.
Most of the gemstones found on early Javanese rings are not local actually to Java, they were in fact often imported from West Asia, India or other centres of Southeast Asia. The stones on these ancient gem-encrusted Javanese rings were not only chosen for their beauty and value, but also for their supposed astrological, magical and medicinal powers.
Similar referenced examples can be found in the Met Museum (Accession number: 1998.544.298) as well as items 00069 and 08784 in ‘Java Gold: The Wealth of Rings’ by Pernicka and Lockhoff (2018).
UK ring size K 1/2, US size 5.5
The ring weighs 9.57 grams of high karat gold (19K/20K gold). Intaglio measures 10mm x 9mm.
Despite its impressive age, the ring is in good and wearable condition, and the stone is securely set.
One of the largest and most important islands in the Indonesian archipelago, Java has long been a great centre of art and civilisation. Gold finger rings are the most common form of jewellery found on ancient Java. Inventories of gold artefacts found in archaeological excavations reinforce the notion that rings were ubiquitous during this period. Not only was gold jewellery a significant symbol of wealth, status and power - but it was also used a currency in itself and functioned as standardised payment for numerous goods and services like salaries, fines and wedding banquets. In ancient Java, rings were also believed to have magical properties; predominantly the ability to bring good fortune and protection to the wearer. In fact, the literal meaning of the word ‘ring’ in Old Javanese translates to ‘guardian against enemy’.
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