Roman Gold Ring with Ant Intaglio, 2nd century A.D. A gold ring composed of a hoop with convex outer face and expanding shoulders, bezel set with a polished and banded conical onyx engraved with an ant. Cf. The V&A Museum, accession number 487-1871, for a very similar intaglio displaying an ant. 6.18 grams, 19.36 mm overall, 15.28 mm internal diameter (approximate size British E 1/2, USA 2 1/2, Europe 3, Japan 3) (3/4 in.). UK private collection before 2000. UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. The ant was an attribute of the Roman goddess Ceres. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website]

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