sim. AGD3, pp. 149-150, nos. 533, 537, 538, pls. 74, 75 (engraved gem; Archäologisches Institut, Universität Göttingen, 1st century BCE-1st century CE and later)
Comparanda
sim. AGD4, p. 229, no. 1177, pl. 159 (engraved gem; Kestner-Museum, Hannover; 1st century CE)
Comparanda
sim. HenigMacGregor2004, p. 92, no. 9.56 (engraved gem; Ashmolean; 1st century BCE-1st century CE)
Comparanda
sim. Spier1992, p. 116, no. 298 (engraved gem; Getty; 1st century CE)
Comparanda
sim. WagnerBoardman2003, p. 81, no. 608, pl. 79 (engraved gem; private collection; 1st century CE)
Conservation
2008 (June 28): gemstone cleaned with distilled water; iron sparsely cleaned with microairabrasive unit; treated with solution of Incralac 5% diluted in toluene (Nikol Anastasatou).
Description
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 description
Intact bezel but missing 33% of loop. Heavy rust on band; stone intact but slightly chipped.
Published as
Panelas2022, pp. 1054-1055, 1082-1083, no. 686, fig. 22.1
Other Dimensions
Bezel L. 0.010
Other Dimensions
Bezel Th. 0.002
Other Dimensions
Bezel W. 0.007
Other Dimensions
Loop Diam. 0.020
Other Dimensions
Loop Th. 0.004
Explanation of deposition
Funerary adornment perhaps for middle-aged man (T7-I-A) but graverobbers later displaced it here from cist below.
