Late 3rd century AD. An intaglio gemstone, rhomboid in section, the red jasper engraved with the image of a kantharos positioned over a small pedestal, set into a later gold ring. Cf. Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, item 685, for type.4.35 grams, 22.20mm overall, 19.27x16.54mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13) (3/4"). From the property of an Essex private collector; acquired in the early 1990s; accompanied by an independent specialist report and valuation by graduate gemmologist and jewellery expert Anna Rogers, GIA GG, BA, Gem-A, ref. no.169082/07/12/2020. From the middle of the 3rd century AD, gem production in the Roman Empire declined rapidly. At the same time the first Christian motifs began to be visible on the rings. However, intaglios on the rings which were of the same shape as before and typical of the time, could be inferred from their Christian owners through images, or more often through names and symbols recalling the Christianity, like the kantharos. The kantharos, a receptacle for wine, became symbol of the chalice used in the Holy Liturgy. When the ritual of the liturgy was codified (in the late ancient world) it was customary to drink wine with goblets. Therefore the chalice, used to drink wine from on a daily basis, became a symbol of the wine served at the last supper in the ritual of the Liturgy.