Gold swivel ring with carnelian scarab
Unknown Artist
5th–4th century BCE
Medium
Carnelian, gold
Dimensions
H.: 1/2 x 1/4 in. (1.3 x 0.7 cm)
Classification
Gems
Culture & Period
Etruscan · Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1895
Accession Number
95.15.7
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite gold swivel ring, adorned with a carnelian scarab, hails from Etruscan culture in the5th–4th BCE, during the Classical period. Crafted from gleaming gold and vibrant red-orange carnelian—a durable chalcedony prized for its rich hue and suitability for engraving—the tiny gem measures just 1/2 x 1/4 inch. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Greek and Roman Department, it exemplifies the Etruscans' mastery of intricate jewelry, blending luxury with symbolism. The swivel design, clever mechanism allowing the scarab to pivot freely, was both functional and decorative, likely ser...