finger-ring
- Museum number
- 1917,0501.59
- Description
-
Gold ring. On the oval bezel is engraved the figure of a woman at an altar. She wears a chiton, himation, sandals and simple droplet earring; her hair is tied up at the back. In one hand, fingers downwards, she holds out a small seed or piece of incense, which she is presumably about to place on top of the altar before her. The altar is seen in three-quarter view from a low angle of vision, and has hooks on the corners. On top of it sits an eagle, which may indicate that the offering is being made to Zeus or Apollo.
- Production date
- 350BC (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 1.80 centimetres (inner)
-
Diameter: 2 centimetres
-
Length: 2 centimetres (bezel)
-
Weight: 11.27 grammes
- Curator's comments
- Williams and Ogden 1994
The hoop is slightly bevelled and is hammered from the same piece of gold as the bezel. The gold shows occasional platinum-group metal inclusions.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: BMCR 59; A.B. Cook, Zeus, vol. iii (Cambridge 1940), fig. 579; Richter EGGE, no. 243; Boardman GGFR, pl. 739 (Salting Group; shape viii).
- Location
- On display (G22/dc5)
- Acquisition date
- 1897
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1917,0501.59
