Circa 100 AD The solid hoop oval in section, expanding slightly at the shoulders, the bezel set with an oval bevelled stone engraved with an ant. Gemstones were often decorated with iconographies associated from literature, myths, theatre and everyday life. In this case, the agate represents an ant, which was one of the attributes of the Roman goddess Ceres, patron of the grain and fertility. Such ring intended to bring prosperity to the wearer. For similar see: Christie's, December 5, lot 77. Size: D: 16.41mm / US: 5 7/8 / UK: L 1/2; 22.79g Provenance: Property of a London Gentleman; formerly in a private UK collection formed in the the 1990s.