Carnelian ring stone
Unknown Artist
3rd–2nd century BCE
Medium
Sard
Dimensions
Length: 9/16 in. (1.5 cm)
Classification
Gems
Culture & Period
Italic · Hellenistic
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of John Taylor Johnston, 1881
Accession Number
81.6.21
Tags
About this artwork
This carnelian ring stone from the third to second century BCE exemplifies the accomplished gem engraving that flourished during the Hellenistic period in Italy. Carnelian, a translucent reddish-orange variety of chalcedony, was prized for seal stones because its hardness allowed fine detail while its color created warm, appealing effects when light passed through the stone. The term 'sard' used in the object description refers to a deeper red-brown variety of carnelian. Though small—measuring j...