Ca. 300 AD. A gold finger ring with its band formed into a hoop with duck-head finials, which adds a unique touch to the design. The bezel cell is set with an oval carnelian intaglio, which depicts a right-facing portrait of a young male. His features are delicately carved, with an aquiline nose, small lips, and a broad forehead, partly covered with carefully arranged hair topped with a head garment. Roman portrait intaglios were highly prized in ancient times. These intricate works of art were created by carving images into hard stones such as carnelian or sardonyx, which were then used to make signet rings or other pieces of jewelry. The portraits depicted on these intaglios often represented members of the Roman elite, such as emperors, generals, or wealthy citizens. They were considered status symbols and were used to seal important documents and letters.Size: D: 18.54mm / US: 8 1/2 / UK: Q 1/2; 7.67gProvenance: Private London collection, UK art market before 2000.