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'Auriga' - Roman Silver Intaglio Ring (1st–3rd CE) EU 57 / US 7.5
€4.000,00
Material:
Era:
- Roman
Rarity:
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Description
A truly rare and whimsical masterpiece from the Roman Imperial era, this exceptional silver ring features an engraved red jasper intaglio depicting a rooster harnessed to a chariot, driven by a mouse wielding whip and reins. Scenes of this playful nature are well documented in Roman art as expressions of wit, satire, or good fortune. The finely cut intaglio is set within a solid silver bezel with a smooth raised border; the band is flat, broad at the shoulders, and elegantly tapered.
Details:
Era: Roman Imperial, 1st-3rd Century AD
Material: Red jasper intaglio in solid silver mount
Motif: Rooster-drawn chariot with mouse charioteer
Size: EU 57 / US 7.5 / UK O 1/2 / Bezel: 17.73 mm / Weight: 5.36g
Provenance: Private London collection; previously South German private collection (1980s-1990s)
Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Object Number: 41.160.563
Unique Identifier: R-R-49-S
Restoration and Authenticity:
This ring is offered in original, unrestored condition with only minimal cleaning to preserve its ancient character. A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
Historical Context:
Whimsical intaglios like this were beloved in Roman society for their humor and imaginative spirit. The rooster and mouse, both animals rich with symbolic meaning, here evoke themes of cleverness, reversal of roles, and playful fortune. Such rings were treasured both as personal amulets and objects of conversation among the Roman elite.
Care
To maintain the beauty and integrity of your purchase, we recommend treating it with care. Simple maintenance practices, such as gentle washing and proper storage, can effectively preserve the longevity of your favorites. We encourage you to refer to the care instructions included with each item, designed to help you keep your purchase in top condition.
Authenticity
Each artifact we offer has been carefully examined by qualified professionals to ensure its authenticity. Our assessment considers historical style, craftsmanship, materials, and the wider typology of comparable pieces.
Because historical scholarship evolves, we offer a lifelong authenticity guarantee: if two independent, accredited laboratories ever determine that an item is not genuine, we will refund you in full.
What size is this ring?
The EU size of this ring is: 57
The US size of this ring is: 8
You can find information about ring sizes and how to determine your own, here.
Delivery Times & Processing
We prepare and ship most orders within 2–5 business days.
Delivery times depend on your location:
- EU orders: usually arrive within 1–5 business days.
- Non-EU orders: shipping typically takes 3–14 business days once dispatched.
- Export documents: Some antiquities require official export paperwork before shipping, which can take 2–8 weeks depending on the item and the issuing authority.
All orders are fully insured and you will receive tracking information as soon as your shipment is on its way.