ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO DEPICTING JANUS IN GOLD RING

Ca. AD 100 - 300. A Roman carnelian intaglio depicting the God "Janus" set in a high carat (21 ct), possibly later gold ring with decorated shoulders. In Roman mythology, Janus holds a unique position as the god of beginnings, transitions, gates, doors, and time itself. His significance in Roman rituals and religious practices was profound, as he symbolized the duality inherent in all transitions and passages, both physical and metaphorical. Janus was often invoked at the outset of any important endeavor, whether it be the opening of a new year, the commencement of a journey, the founding of a city, or the beginning of a marriage. His two faces, one looking forward and the other backward, signified his ability to oversee both past and future, to guide individuals through transitions and to guard thresholds. This piece has undergone X-ray fluorescence analysis to confirm the metallurgical content suggesting its ancient origin and lack of modern trace elements. Size: D:18.75mm / US: 8 3/4 / UK: R; Weight: 9g Provenance: Private Central London collection; ex. UK art market 1990s. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.