Description:

Romano-Egyptian period, ca. 1st century BCE to 3rd century CE. A handsome lead alloy signet ring finely carved with the a depiction of a hippocamp in profile above Poseidon's trident. The ancients, according to scholars, believed that hippocamps were the adult versions of the petite creature we now call the sea-horse. The mythical sea-horse known as the hippocamp (also spelled hippokampe, hippocampus, hippokampos) was described by Pausanias as a horse, but with the part of its body below the breast representing that of a sea monster or fish. This creature is mentioned in Homeric poems as a symbol of Poseidon (identified as Neptune by Romans) who famously rode a chariot pulled across the sea by horses. A fascinating piece of ancient jewelry with wonderful iconography. Size (opening): 1" W (2.5 cm); (face): .75" W (1.9 cm); US ring size: 11.5

Provenance: ex-Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA acquired before 2000

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#159318

  • Condition: Minor nicks and scratches to peripheries. Wearable with a light patina and nice details!

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November 19, 2020 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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