Ancient Gold Ring Set with a Sardonyx Cameo of a Woman. Roman

Roman, 3rd century AD.

Measurements
• Ring size: F 1/2 UK / 3 US / 44 EU
• Bezel: 1.5 x 1.1cm
• Weight: 5.96 grams

A gold ring of solid construction, set with an oval sardonyx cameo carved in high relief with the profile bust of a woman facing left. Her hair is arranged in an elaborate coiffure, drawn back into a bun, with fine striations denoting the strands. The draped neckline of her garment is carefully rendered, with folds emphasised by incised detailing. The cameo shows a small chip to the nose.

The original gold shank is of flat-section form, flaring to support the bezel, and ornamented to each shoulder with outward-facing dolphins in openwork, their heads meeting beneath the bezel. The dolphins’ bodies are stylised yet retain naturalistic details of the eyes and fins. There is a small loss of gold to the reverse of the shank, consistent with age and wear.

Iconographic and Cultural Context
Dolphins held significant symbolic value in the Roman world, associated with Venus and maritime protection, as well as serving as talismans of safe passage over water. Cameos of this period often depict idealised female figures, either portraits or allegorical types, and were valued as personal adornments and status symbols.