finger-ring
- Museum number
- 1866,0504.57
- Description
-
Gold finger-ring with movable circular box-bezel. This large, man-sized ring consists of a drum-like box-bezel which is free to rotate on the gold rod hoop. The top face of the bezel bears a plain wire rosette with a central grain and has a beaded wire border. The underside of the bezel has a chased depiction of a griffin, half-seated to left with right paw raised, skilfully rendered to fit the circular form precisely. Across the griffin is the inscription DAMO, written in reverse. The side wall of the bezel has a serpentine pattern in plain wire. The ring is equipped with a plain hoop; a wire passes through the box-bezel and wraps around the ends.
- Production date
- 500BC (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 2.20 centimetres (inner)
-
Diameter: 2.70 centimetres
-
Height: 0.60 centimetres
-
Length: 1.50 centimetres (bezel)
-
Weight: 9.72 grammes
-
Width: 2.80 centimetres (of hoop)
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Williams and Ogden 1994
This is the earliest box-bezel ring in gold. The idea gained particular popularity in the fourth century BC (GR 1872.6-4.146 and GR 1923.4-21.3). The direction of the script and the inscription itself, Doric Greek for 'the people', suggests that the ring was an official seal. (It has also been suggested that this might be part of the owner's name.)
BIBLIOGRAPHY: BMCR 41; J. Boardman, AK 10 (1967), p. 9, pl. 7; Boardman GGFR, p. 157, pl. 443.
- Location
- On display (G13/dc10)
- Acquisition date
- 1866
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1866,0504.57