Iron ring with carnelian intaglio. Thin loop with square to plano-convex section, rounded shoulders, and thick, flaring bezel with rounded surface. Set into shallow depression on top is red carnelian cut into oval with a flat upper surface and beveled edge. Gemstone displays an engraving in horizontal format: bull in three-quarters view striding left and framed by Latin letters in retrograde: AP|I (Apicius or Apilius?). The schematic details include snout, eyes, ears, shoulder hump, hooves, penis, and tail.
Preservation comment
Intact bezel but missing one-third of loop. Heavy rust on band; stone intact but slightly chipped.
Published as
Panelas2022, pp. 1054-1055, 1082-1083, no. 686, fig. 22.1
“KM196 (Early-Middle Roman Iron Finger Ring with Cornelian Intaglio).” In Kenchreai Archaeological Archive, edited by J.L. Rife and S. Heath. The American Excavations at Kenchreai, 2013-2025. <http://kenchreai.org/gaek/km196>