Details

COLEM:1995.40.97

Roman cornelian intaglio (type F.1) depicting the Roman god Mars. He is nude apart from his plumed helmet, standing to the front and facing right towards a large circular shield, which he holds in his left hand. In is right hand he holds a spear. The style of the cutting is distinct to the second and first centuries BC. The iron ring, with a pronounce bezel, is a late Hellenistic type, popular in the late Republic confirming the object’s date as no later than the early first century BC. The intaglio ring was discovered at Gosbecks Park, Colchester, within the precinct of the first century AD Romano-Celtic temple complex and was clearly an heirloom. The ring may have been lost or even deposited as a votive object at the temple. As an heirloom there may be the chance that this object was handed down and that it was originally owned by an Iron Age Briton. In this instance, an Iron Age Catuvellaunian (Essex Briton) may have interpreted the intaglio image as that of Mars Camulos – the Iron Age god of war, as opposed to the Roman god Mars. Intaglios are engraved gems that were used as a form of personal signature, similar to the modern-day signet ring. In the Roman period, intaglios were mounted as the bezel on finger rings, and were carved from coloured precious stones such as chalcedony, carnelian, onyx and jasper. They were used across the Roman Empire to stamp the wax seals of e.g. letters and legal documents, so that the recipient would know the seal had not been broken and the contents interfered with. As well as practical devices they were also a sign of status and identity for their wearer. Intaglios were used by both men and women and those in Colchester Museums’ collection depict various Roman gods, goddesses and mythical figures. The designs were highly personal to the owner and often related to their personal life or profession.

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Roman

intaglio, ring

carnelian, metal

length: 24 mm