Antique Roman Ceres Intaglio Signet Ring

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Antique Roman Ceres Intaglio Signet Ring

About the Item

Ring Mount Victorian, c.1880 - Intaglio Roman, c.3rd Century AD An intriguing antique signet ring with ancient Roman intaglio dating from the 3rd Century AD. I believe (although without certainty) that it represents the goddess Ceres, with wheat sheaf and scales of justice. The mount is Victorian, ,made circa 1880, and modelled in 9 karat gold with maker's mark for the esteemed Charles Green & Son. Ceres was the goddess of agriculture, fertility, grain, and motherhood, and the Romans saw her as the counterpart of the Greek goddess Demeter. Along with Liber and Libera she made up the Aventine (or plebeian) Triad, established c.493 BC within a sacred district on the Aventine Hill. The cult served as a focus of plebeian identity, in opposition to the patricians' Capitoline Triad of Jupiter, Minerva, and Juno. As well as being credited with giving the gift of agriculture to man, Ceres was a patron and protector of plebeian laws, rights, and Tribunes. It's thought that her Aventine Temple may have served as the plebeian law-court, as well as treasury and legal archive. Not only did Ceres introduce man to settlement and agriculture, through her laws she determined the course of settled, lawful and civilized life. Field boundaries and crops were sacred, and any adult who damaged or stole field-crops, or moved field boundaries would be hanged "for Ceres". A 2nd Century AD inscription by a soldier in Britain suggests Ceres was by then part of a larger grouping of deities. She is "the bearer of ears of corn", the "Syrian Goddess", identical with the universal heavenly Mother, the Magna Mater. She is peace and virtue, and inventor of justice: she weighs "Life and Right" in her scale. STONES Agate intaglio RING SIZE 7.25 US MEASUREMENTS Head: 14.8 x 11.5mm Width of band: 2.0mm WEIGHT 2.7g MARKS Stamped 9ct CG&S maker's mark

Metal:
9k Gold
Stone:
Agate
Stone Cut:
Oval Cut
Weight:
2.7 g
Style:
Victorian
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1880
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Some light wear commensurate with age. One shoulder has been repaired in the past. A couple of chips to the intaglio (12 o'clock and 5 o'clock).
Seller Location:
Sale, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU173211643672