Ca. 100-200 ADA gold finger ring composed of a round hoop, flat inside and rounded on the outside, with decorative vertical ribs along the shoulders. The hoop expands to support a large oval bezel with a border decorated in the same fashion as the ribs on the shoulders. The bezel is set with an intriguing frontal image of a chalcedony cameo of a grotesque male head with exaggerated features carved with remarkable and detailed precision. The crown of his bald head is topped with a small lock of hair, the eyes are deep set, an arched browline leads to a prominent aquiline nose, the forehead bears a pair of deep diagonal wrinkles, lips in a grimace. A ring with a grotesque would have served to ward off bad luck. For a similar grotesque cameo, but depicted in profile see The Collection (Lincolnshire) - LCNCC : 1914.725. The item has undergone X-ray fluorescence analysis to confirm the metallurgical content suggesting its ancient origin and lack of modern trace elements.Size: D: 19.1mm / US: 9 1/8 / UK: S; 16.38gProvenance: From the private collection of Mr. R. Unger; previously with a London gallery; acquired in the 1980s on the UK art market.