Ca. 100-300 AD. Roman. A beautiful gold ring with a circular band, flared shoulders, and bezel decorated finely incised intaglio depicting a scene: a human seated figure under a tree on the right-hand side faces a coiled serpent on the left-hand side. Excellent condition; wearable. The item has undergone X-ray fluorescence analysis to confirm the metallurgical content suggesting its ancient origin and lack of modern trace elements. It also comes with a gemological and historical report by an independent specialist Anna Rogers. Roman rings were often embellished with intaglios, cameos, and precious gemstones. Mythology and Roman history were used as a repertoire for decorative themes. Roman rings featuring carved gemstones, such as carnelian, garnet or chalcedony, were often engraved with the depiction of deities, allegories, and zoomorphic creatures. Rings were also modelled in the shape of snakes, a popular form of jewellery deriving from Hellenistic culture. To find out more about Roman rings and jewellery production, see Higgins, R. (1980). Greek and Roman jewellery. London: Methuen.Size: D: 21.9mm / US: 12 1/2 / UK: Z; 35.1g. Provenance: Property of a North London gentleman; previously acquired on the UK/European art market in the 1980s.