Ancient Roman Ring, Solid Silver, 3rd century AD, Agate + Intaglio Man

  

Ancient and authentic Roman ring, 3rd century AD, in solid silver. It is adorned with a round Agate stone with an intaglio representing a man. He is in profile and seems to have a bird perched on his right hand. His left hand is under his clothing. The man is dressed in a short Roman Toga.

The intaglio is magnificent because of its meticulous craftsmanship. The setting in which the stone is inserted is raised and decorated with granulation. The ring's shoulders are decorated, wide, and very curved. I believe that this ring was meant to be worn on the thumb as its shape is uncomfortable if worn on other fingers. Condition: Very good, can be worn, cleaned by a professional. Inner diameter: 68 on the ring sizer. Origin: Cyprus - Private collection. The island of Cyprus was part of the Roman Empire from 58 BC. The Christianization of the Eastern Roman Empire transformed it into the Byzantine Empire to which the island continued to belong until 649 and from 965 to 1192.