Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 2244. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2005.  Sold For $326. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

[Antiquities] ROMAN. Silver finger ring. Circa 2nd-3rd century AD. Inner diameter 21mm. Heavy silver band with lentoid inset gemstone, dark blue, possibly glass. Intaglio engraving of a coiled, bearded serpent facing an eagle with outstretched wings. Good quality engraving of the middle empire period. Silver with patches of horn silver, face of gemstone showing wear. An attractive piece of ancient jewelry. ($500)

The serpent is probably Agathadaimon, avatar of Serapis, while the eagle is undoubtedly a symbol of Zeus. This ring served an apotropaic purpose, asking for the blessings of the two chief gods of the Greco-Roman world.