Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 2220. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2005.  Sold For $1100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

[Antiquities] GREEK. Gold finger ring. Circa 5th-4th century BC. Inner diameter 12mm, weight 1.68 gm. Tiny plain gold band, bezel face 11mm across with intaglio engraving of a Pomeranian-type dog with a fly below its muzzle. Wonderful, highly skilled engraving technique in a tiny format. See Richter, Engraved Gems 450 for this type of dog and 448 for a dog with insects. A few scuff marks, otherwise fine and rare. ($1000)

Obviously a gift to a highly favored newborn. The dog may be a symbol of fidelity and protection, the fly a traditional one of good luck. Or it may simply be a natural amusing scene of a dog chasing an annoying bug.