Description

The ring, attributable to Roman production in the 2nd century, is composed of an essential yellow gold setting in which is set a Roman carving, dating back to around the 2nd century, made of carnelian, characterised by a vivid orange tinge. The carving, therefore, features the engraving of a Centaur, a mythological figure half man and half horse, who is caught –in the moonlight– loading his bow to shoot an arrow at an enemy. The Centaur is a peculiar figure in Greek mythology who, in his being halfway between a man and a horse, represents the union of human and bestial nature, embodying in himself the feral instincts and the internal struggle between passion and virtue, therefore, they retain in them both reason and instinctuality, the identifying binomial of human nature. In this case, it is noted that the figure of the Centaur is perfectly investigated in the smallest details, despite the small size of the carnelian, demonstrating the great skill of the engraver, who has managed to convey both equine and human anatomy with great effectiveness, to such an extent that it conveys the image of the tension and physical effort of that contracted abdomen and those muscles tense to draw the bow. Finally, the frame, also attributable to the 2nd century, is internally hollow, therefore extremely light, representing a perfect example of the mastery of Roman goldsmith production.

Period: 2^nd century 

Dimensions: 17 x 15 mm

Ring Size: 8

Weight: 9,87 gr