100-300 AD. Roman. Gold/electrum ring with circular hoop, flaring shoulders and elliptical bezel which contains a carnelian intaglio depicting a walking minotaur. In Greek and Roman mythology, the minotaur (from the Greek Minotauros (“Minos's Bull”) is a fabulous monster of Crete with the body of a man and the head of a bull. It was the offspring of Pasiphae, king Minos’ wife, and a snow-white bull sent to Minos by the god Poseidon for sacrifice; Minos’ failure to sacrifice the bull is punished by the conception of this beast, which is eventually slain by the Greek hero Theseus. XRF analysis by an independent Belgian laboratory. All samples correspond to the metal content of the period specified; no modern trace elements were detected in the patina; expertly cleaned and conserved. Excellent condition; wearable.Size: D: 19.84mm / US: 10 / UK: T1/2; 17.8g ; Provenance: From the collection of a gentleman based in London; formerly in an old British collection; acquired in the 1980s.