Ancient Near East / Central Asia, Sassanian (Sasanian / Sasanid), middle Sassanian Empire, ca. 3rd to 7th century CE. A beautiful gold ring with a large raised bezel housing a square Sassanian eye agate intaglio incised with a buck oriented to the left with his head boasting a massive rack facing the opposite direction - flanked by calligraphic flourishes, likely of Middle Persian script. The impressive animal stands atop 4 slender legs beneath a powerful body, as a short stubby tail extends from his posterior and a pair of ribbons project outwards from his neck. The agate stone itself is dark chocolate brown to black on top with white and caramel brown inclusions along the sides, creating an stunning, natural frame for the ancient animal. Size (ring): 1.2" Diameter x 0.8" W (3 cm x 2 cm); (intaglio): 0.6" L x 0.6" W (1.5 cm x 1.5 cm); gold quality: 83% (equivalent to 19K+); weight: 14.7 grams; US ring size: 8

The intaglio is cut into a square shape, perhaps to fit the ring, and is attached to the thick gold band via a shoulder of tiered granules on one side, creating an elegant, asymmetrical silhouette.

Sasanian stamp seals with the same motifs can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art under accession number 74.51.4413 and the Louvre Museum under principal number AO6242.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired in 2019; ex-private southern California, USA collection, acquired before 2000

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#159455

Intaglio and ring are both Sasanian. Intact, excellent, and wearable.