Signet Ring
100-200 AD (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a well known type of ring of which many similar examples have been found. This particular ring is very fine.
The colourful and decorative bezel is engraved with an ant. Other similar rings bear a bee or a butterfly.
The ant is traditionally associated with the Roman goddess Ceres. She is a mother goddess of grain and fertility, and from her name derives the word 'cereals', her gift to humankind. This ring was probably inteded to bring prosperity to its wearer.
The colourful and decorative bezel is engraved with an ant. Other similar rings bear a bee or a butterfly.
The ant is traditionally associated with the Roman goddess Ceres. She is a mother goddess of grain and fertility, and from her name derives the word 'cereals', her gift to humankind. This ring was probably inteded to bring prosperity to its wearer.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gold set with an onyx intaglio |
| Brief description | Gold signet ring, the swelling hoop set with a raised onyx intaglio of an ant, the attribute of the goddess Ceres, Roman Empire, 100-200 AD |
| Physical description | Gold signet ring, the swelling hoop set with a raised sardonyx intaglio of an ant |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Object history | ex Waterton Collection |
| Production | Roman |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is a well known type of ring of which many similar examples have been found. This particular ring is very fine. The colourful and decorative bezel is engraved with an ant. Other similar rings bear a bee or a butterfly. The ant is traditionally associated with the Roman goddess Ceres. She is a mother goddess of grain and fertility, and from her name derives the word 'cereals', her gift to humankind. This ring was probably inteded to bring prosperity to its wearer. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 487-1871 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 20, 2006 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
