Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. This is a beautiful high-quality swivel intaglio gold ring featuring an ibis and a bird on the green bloodstone. The ring band is comprised of a 93% (equivalent to 22K+) gold sheet rolled into a tubular shape, and the terminal tips receive the pin finding for the intaglio. The stone is ovoid, incised with a standing bird in profile, perhaps representing a falcon or other sacred avian creature. This stone is set in a gold bezel that swivels, and when turned over, the gold face is engraved with an elegant, ibis - a long-legged wading bird that was associated with the god Thoth. The bezel and stone are pierced longitudinally and revolves on a gold pin. The swivel enabled this exquisite ring to serve as both symbolic amulet and a signet that could show off either face as the wearer chose. Size (band): 0.67" L x 0.1" W (1.7 cm x 0.3 cm); (band opening): 0.45" Diameter (1.1 cm); (intaglio): 0.36" L x 0.29" W (0.9 cm x 0.7 cm); gold quality: 93% (equivalent to 22K+); weight: 1.6 grams; US ring size 1
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
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#159453
Condition
Minor indentations to gold band. Professionally cleaned and excellent. Stone is intact, and both bird and ibis are sharp and clear. Please note the size of this ring, which may not fit most. It could be worn as a pendant if one desired!