Intaglio ringstone
This Roman ringstone is made from a type of stone called obsidian. It is engraved on both sides and around the bevelled edge. One side is a double-headed serpent wearing a head ornament. Around this image is a partly legible inscription and a star. On the other side is Anubis, the ancient Egyptian jackal-headed god. He stands unclothed facing left with his forearms raised in a gesture of adoration. This side also has a partly legible inscription and three stars next to the image. This will have been a magical or religious amulet but its meaning is uncertain. The symbols may represent victory, power, poisoning, death and resurrection or rebirth.
Object Summary
- Accession Loan No.
- 5/1946/355
- Category
- Antiquities
- Collection Class
- Foreign archaeology
- Collection Area Region
- North Africa
- Collector Excavator
- Montague, Lieutenant Colonel Leopold Agar Denys (from the collection of)
- Material
- obsidian | | | |
- Common Name
- intaglio ringstone
- Simple Name
- ringstone
- Period Classification
- Roman Imperial - 31 BC-476 AD
- Production Town
- Production Person Initials
- Production Person Surname
- Production Year Low
- 100
- Production Year High
- 300
