Carnelian ring stone
Unknown Artist
ca. 1st century BCE–3rd century CE
Medium
Sard
Dimensions
Length: 1/2 in. (1.2 cm)
Classification
Gems
Culture & Period
Roman · Late Republican or Imperial
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of John Taylor Johnston, 1881
Accession Number
81.6.116
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite carnelian ring stone carved from sard—a rich, reddish-brown variety of chalcedony— to the Late Republican or Imperial Roman period (ca. 1st century BCE–3rd century CE). Measuring just 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) in length, it the ancient art of gem engraving, likely an intaglio designed for a finger ring. The central motif is Pegasus, the mythical winged horse born from Medusa's blood, symbolizing poetic inspiration and triumph over chaos in Greek and Roman mythology. Roman gems like this were prized possessions, serving both as personal jewelry and practical seals for documents or wax. ...