Silver ring, the bezel set with a cornelian intaglio of a man reaping corn, Roman, 4th century

Silver ring, the bezel set with a cornelian intaglio of a man reaping corn. The stone has chips around the edge, with a small part of the surface around the lower left edge broken off and missing.

Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh

Dr Walter Leo Hildburgh (1876-1955), nicknamed The Egg because of his baldness, was an American art collector who gave or bequeathed over 5000 objects to the V&A.

He was born in New York in 1876, obtained a PhD from Columbia University and worked as a scientific researcher. A man of independent means, he pursued a range of interests: he became an international figure skater, was an excellent swimmer and developed an interest in folklore, anthropology and magic. In 1912, Hildburgh settled in London and became a frequent visitor to the Victoria and Albert Museum. He became a generous donor, principally to the Metalwork and Sculpture collections. To celebrate his 70th birthday in 1946, he presented 300 examples of English alabaster. He was elected to the Society of Antiquaries in 1915 and awarded a D. Litt in the History of Art from the University of London in 1937. He died in London in 1955, aged 79.

M.157-1929