Roman Silver Intaglio Ring with Sol and Luna, Circa 1st, 2nd Century AD

A substantial silver ring with expanding -angled shoulders decorated with grooves. Large bezel with engraving , housing a carnelian intaglio with the busts of Roman god Soll and goddess Luna facing each other; 39 grams, 35mm overall size, 25.38mm internal max diameter. From the collection of EU gentleman , formed before 2000s on the German art market. FOOTNOTES: Sol and Luna, in Roman religion, name of two distinct sun gods at Rome. The original Sol, or Sol Indiges, had a shrine on the Quirinal, an annual sacrifice on August 9, and another shrine, together with Luna, the moon goddess, in the Circus Maximus. Although the cult appears to have been native, the Roman poets equated him with the Greek sun god Helios. Luna is considered as a female counterpart of Sol, the sun god. Luna, along with Proserpina and Hecate, is part of the Diva Triformis or the Roman triple goddess.In Roman art, she is represented with a crescent and a chariot with two yokes. Varro distinguished Luna and Sol from the invisible gods. She was among the deities whom the philosopher Macrobius propounded as secret protectors of Rome.

Weight: 38.99 g