Gold Ring With A Jasper Intaglio Of A Grazing Goat. Roman, 1st - 2nd Century.

Gold ring with a jasper intaglio of a browsing Goat. Roman, 1st - 2nd century.

A gold ring set with a jasper intaglio of a browsing Goat.

Roman, 1st - 2nd century AD.

Intaglio measures 1.4 x 1.2cm, the later high carat gold ring is a size L UK / 5 3/4 US.

See the last two images for an extraordinarily similar intaglio in the National museum of Wales, catalogue number; 81.79H/4.77, described as:

A bearded goat stands on its hind legs against a tree on which he browses. Large fruits hang from two of the boughs; from a third bough to the right of the tree hangs what may be a dead hare, or possibly another fruit. A single transparent vein in the jasper running from top left to bottom right has been utilised by the engraver to emphasise the trunk of the tree. Some chipping to the right side, otherwise fresh and polished.

This is one of 88 engraved gemstones retrieved in 1979, mostly from the filling of a large drain beneath the cold hall of the fortress baths. The gemstones would originally have been set in finger-rings, and served as signets and charms or talismans for their owners. They were products of extremely skilled craftsman who worked on a minute scale without the aid of magnification. The gems are engraved with a wide range of deities, personification and symbols.