Ancient Roman Carnelian Gemstone Intaglio Ring Salus Goddess of Health Holds Sceptre Serpent Anchor AD200 Start Price USD 413.99 Current Price USD 413.99 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, October 13, 2008 End Time Wednesday, November 12, 2008 Location Ferndale, Washington See more about 'Ancient Roman Carnelian Gemstone Intaglio Ring Salus' Description Your browser does not support JavaScript. To view this page, enable JavaScript if it is disabled or upgrade your browser. Click here to see almost 800 archaeology/ancient history books and 500 authentic ancient artifacts on our eBay store! Large Genuine Ancient Roman (AD200) Engraved Semi-Precious Deep Red Carnelian Gemstone Intaglio (Seal) Depicting the Roman Goddess of Health and Sanitation; Public Welfare and Prosperity, “Salus”. Salus is Depicted Holding a Staff/Sceptre Around Which is Draped a Serpent; and Also Holding an Anchor or Rudder. CLASSIFICATION: Ancient Roman Intaglio Carved Red Carnelian Seal. Set into Your Choice of a Sterling Silver Pendant or a Sterling Silver Ring (14kt Gold Also Available). ATTRIBUTION: Eastern Roman Empire (Syria), 2nd Century A.D. SIZE/MEASUREMENTS: 22mm (height) * 13mm (width) * 3mm (thickness). WEIGHT: 9.56 carats. CONDITION: Extremely good. Minor chipping to back side only visible under magnification and invisible when set. Good polish. CONTEMPORARY RING/PENDANT: A variety of sterling silver settings to select from which are included in the price. You may choose a sterling silver pendant setting (as shown), silver-plated chain included upon request. Or you may choose from available rings settings in common (whole) sizes (see here) (not all styles are available for this particular intaglio). Custom sizing available upon request. 14kt gold settings are available. Both sterling silver and 14kt gold chains are also available. For a more authentic touch, we also have available handcrafted Greek black leather cords. Please see examples of rings set with intaglio gemstones all the way toward the bottom of this page. DETAIL: A very nicely preserved genuine Roman carved carnelian intaglio seal dating to the second or third century A.D. It is in excellent condition, though in hand it is far more beautiful than the images here suggest. It is a gorgeous, deep red, transparent semi-precious carnelian gemstone, exquisitely carved. Unfortunately the piece proved very difficult to image, and the pictures here really do not show just how gorgeous this ancient piece of art truly is. The color of the carnelian is a deep reddish-orange. The depiction is that of the Goddess Salus, in flowing robe or stola, holding in one hand a scepter or staff from which is draped a serpent also wrapped partly around the goddess. Salus’s other hand rests atop either an anchor or a rudder, signifying the maritime role of sustaining the well-being of the empire with shipments of wheat and corn from Africa, Egypt, and Sicily. The theme is parallel with coinage issued in the second century by the Emperor Antoninus Pius; and coinage issued by the third century Emperor Tetricus. This particular piece is exquisitely carved, the detail absolutely superb. The condition of the stone is remarkable, though there is minor chipping around the edge visible when the gemstone is magnified. However this is not visible to the naked eye, and certainly is not detectable when set. Unbroken intaglio seals are rather difficult to come by and tend to be fairly costly (see here). We have set this seal into a sterling silver pendant, and will include the pendant free of charge (with a silver-plate chain if requested). However if you would prefer a ring, we will include a sterling silver ring at no additional cost in your choice of several available settings (see here) in a variety of standard sizes. Upon request both custom sizes and 14kt gold settings are available as well (as are 14kt gold and sterling silver chains if you prefer a pendant mounting. Either way, whether you prefer a pendant or a ring, we’ll provide a basic setting in sterling silver at no additional charge. Whether worn as a gold or silver ring, the carved carnelian intaglio is quite striking, and can be worn with elegance and distinction. In fact, in ancient Rome such intaglio carved carnelian gemstones were used to press the wearer's "seal" into lead, clay, or wax, leaving an impression. More often than not the seal was mounted into a ring as a bezel. Carnelian gemstones and jewelry were very popular throughout the Roman Empire, and carnelian was widely used to carve cameos and signet/intaglio rings. Aside from being quite beautiful, carnelian seals and signets had the practical advantage of not sticking to wax. The gemstone is shown mounted into a pendant setting, and it has been so set. This is the pendant setting you would receive if you wished. If you would like to see how this gemstone might appear in a ring, we have provided a number of examples of other mounted intaglio gemstones toward the bottom of this page, so you might appreciate how beautiful this ancient intaglio gemstone might be in a contemporary setting. HISTORY: The Romans acquired their taste for carnelian, a beautifully colored reddish-orange semi-precious gemstone from the Phoenicians, who traded extensively in carnelian. Since before recorded history evidence suggests that carnelian was one of the most favored gemstones for at least the past 10,000 years. Two of the richest archaeological treasures, the tombs of both the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamen and Sumerian Queen Pu-abi's tomb at Ur contained many splendid examples of carnelian jewelry. The red variety of carnelian was most popular in the ancient world. Carnelian was widely favored by the Sumerian/Mesopotamian cultures and then their successors the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans for its use in jewelry. However it was just as popular for use in carved intaglio seals which originated in Mesopotamia (Sumeria) sometime in the 5th millennium B.C. The production of such incised carnelian seals was a highly developed art form by the 4th millennium B.C. There are many splendid examples of intaglio carnelian rings and signets produced by ancient Roman and Greek craftsmen still in existence today. A particularly noteworthy collection is housed at The Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Roman Goddess Salus was the Goddess of Health and Sanitation, as well as Safety and Welfare (public well-being) and Prosperity. Her Greek counterpart was the Goddess Hygenia, who in myth was the offspring of Aesculapius (Greek God of Healing and Medicine, Son of Apollo) and of Minerva (The Greek Goddess Athena, Goddess of War). While her father was more directly associated with healing, she was associated with the prevention of sickness and the continuation of good health. In Roman statuary and coinage Salus is generally depicted as a matronly woman wearing a stola. The stola was a sleeveless outer garment worn by mature women over the tunic (or chemise). Salus can be depicted standing, sitting, or in a reclining position, but generally she is depicted with a serpent either on her right or her left arm, and a scepter in the opposite hand. The serpent is depicted in a quiescent state, usually rising in folds or entwined round an altar before her, and eating food from a patera, which Salus holds in her extended hand. A “patera” was a broad, flat, round dish used for drinking (wine more often than not) and ceremonially for offering libations. Occasionally Salus would be depicted holding a rudder or anchor rather than a scepter – alluding to the role that imported corn (from Egypt and Africa) played in the “welfare” and “well-being” of Rome. This typical rendering of Salus was doubtless how she was depicted as well in most statuary. Salus had a celebrated temple at Rome on the Quirinal Hill painted, it was said, by Q. Fabius. Most of Salus’s cult centers were to be found in Rome and central Italy. In the Hellenic world her primary temples were in Epidaurus, Corinth, Cos and Pergamon. She was also worshipped as the guardian goddess of the emperor. Special civic ceremonies and prayers were oftentimes conducted at the beginning of each year, at times of epidemic or widespread sickness, and on the emperor’s birthday. On very prominent variant of Salus used in Roman coinage was that of “Salus Reipublicae”, the health or safety of the Roman Commonwealth. One of the greatest civilizations of recorded history was the ancient Roman Empire. In exchange for a very modest amount of contemporary currency, you can possess a small part of that great civilization in the form of a 2,000 year old piece of jewelry. The Roman civilization, in relative terms the greatest military power in the history of the world, was founded in the 8th century (B.C.). In the 4th Century (B.C.) the Romans were the dominant power on the Italian Peninsula, having defeated the Etruscans and Celts. In the 3rd Century (B.C.) the Romans conquered Sicily, and in the following century defeated Carthage, and controlled the Greece. Throughout the remainder of the 2nd Century (B.C.) the Roman Empire continued its gradual conquest of the Hellenistic (Greek Colonial) World by conquering Syria and Macedonia; and finally came to control Egypt in the 1st Century (B.C.). The pinnacle of Roman power was achieved in the 1st Century (A.D.) as Rome conquered much of Britain and Western Europe. For a brief time, the era of “Pax Romana”, a time of peace and consolidation reigned. Civilian emperors were the rule, and the culture flourished with a great deal of liberty enjoyed by the average Roman Citizen. However within 200 years the Roman Empire was in a state of steady decay, attacked by Germans, Goths, and Persians. In the 4th Century (A.D.) the Roman Empire was split between East and West. The Great Emperor Constantine temporarily arrested the decay of the Empire, but within a hundred years after his death the Persians captured Mesopotamia, Vandals infiltrated Gaul and Spain, and the Goths even sacked Rome itself. Most historians date the end of the Western Roman Empire to 476 (A.D.) when Emperor Romulus Augustus was deposed. However the Eastern Roman Empire (The Byzantine Empire) survived until the fall of Constantinople in 1453 A.D. At its peak, the Roman Empire stretched from Britain in the West, throughout most of Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, and into Asia Minor. Valuables such as coins and jewelry were commonly buried for safekeeping, and inevitably these ancient citizens would succumb to one of the many perils of the ancient world. Oftentimes the survivors of these individuals did not know where the valuables had been buried, and today, two thousands years later caches of coins and rings are still commonly uncovered throughout Europe and Asia Minor. Roman Soldiers oftentimes came to possess large quantities of “booty” from their plunderous conquests, and routinely buried their treasure for safekeeping before they went into battle. If they met their end in battle, most often the whereabouts of their treasure was likewise, unknown. Throughout history these treasures have been inadvertently discovered by farmers in their fields, uncovered by erosion, and the target of unsystematic searches by treasure seekers. With the introduction of metal detectors and other modern technologies to Eastern Europe in the past three or four decades, an amazing number of new finds are seeing the light of day 2,000 years or more after they were originally hidden by their past owners. And with the liberalization of post-Soviet Eastern Europe, new markets have opened eager to share in these treasures of the Roman Empire. Domestic shipping is $3.99 for first class mail or $6.99 for Priority Mail. Domestic rates include USPS Delivery Confirmation (you might be able to update the status of your shipment on-line at the USPS Web Site). Canadian shipments are $3.99 for Air Mail; International shipments are $4.99 for Air Mail (and generally are NOT tracked; trackable shipments are EXTRA). I can add most other items I sell to the shipment for only $0.99 each. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment. We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers. Insurance is available for both domestic and international shipments ($10 for domestic shipments; $24 for international shipments; ONLY required when PayPal is used – you may deduct this amount if you prefer an uninsured shipment AND you pay by check or money order). We do NOT recommend uninsured shipments, and expressly disclaim any responsibility for the loss of an uninsured shipment. Unfortunately the contents of parcels are easily “lost” or misdelivered by postal employees – even in the USA. If you intend to pay via PayPal, please be aware that PayPal Protection Policies REQUIRE insured, trackable shipments. If you do NOT want an insured shipment, send us a check or money order and deduct the invoiced insurance premium. We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. I prefer your personal check or money order over any other form of payment – and I will ship immediately upon receipt of your check (no “holds”). If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price. Most of the items I offer come from the collection of a family friend who was active in the field of Archaeology for over forty years. However many of the items also come from purchases I make in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) from various institutions and dealers. Though I have always had an interest in archaeology, my own academic background was in sociology and cultural anthropology. After my retirement however, I found myself drawn to archaeology as well. Aside from my own personal collection, I have made extensive and frequent additions of my own via purchases on Ebay (of course), as well as many purchases from both dealers and institutions throughout the world – but especially in the Near East and in Eastern Europe. I spend over half of my year out of the United States, and have spent much of my life either in India or Eastern Europe. In fact much of what we generate on Yahoo, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe connected with Anthropology and Archaeology. I acquire some small but interesting collections overseas from time-to-time, and have as well some duplicate items within my own collection which I occasionally decide to part with. Though I have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, my primary interest is in ancient jewelry. My wife also is an active participant in the "business" of antique and ancient jewelry, and is from Russia. I would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from me. There is a $2 fee for mailing under separate cover. Whenever I am overseas I have made arrangements for purchases to be shipped out via domestic mail. If I am in the field, you may have to wait for a week or two for a COA to arrive via international air mail. But you can be sure your purchase will arrive properly packaged and promptly - even if I am absent. And when I am in a remote field location with merely a notebook computer, at times I am not able to access my email for a day or two, so be patient, I will always respond to every email. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE." Place a Bid!