Lot 1008:
SILVER RING WITH FISHES
Roman period, c. 3rd-4th century AD.
Small silver foil ring with oval bezel. The set gemstone is an orange carnelian engraved with a representation of two fishes hanging from a fence.
Gemstone: 10x7 mm. Inner diameter of ring: 17 mm.
Intact, small chip on the gemstone edge. The fish symbol (ichthys) was for early Christians a code word for praising Jesus. ΙΧΘΥΣ (ichthys) is an acronym/acrostic that stands for 'Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς, Θεοῦ Υἱὸς, Σωτήρ' (Iēsous Christos, Theou Yios, Sōtēr), which translates as: 'Jesus Christ, Son of God, the Saviour'.
The representation on this ring could recall early Christian worship; the fact that it is on a gem set on a child's ring could suggest a wish to the recipient.
Start price € 120
Current price € 140
Minimum bid: € 150
Minimum bid increment € 10
Bids: 2