Enjoy this bit of treasure (not eBay)
Thought you might like some inspiration.
This 2,000-year-old sapphire ring is thought to have belonged to Caligula, the notorious ancient Roman emperor that reigned in 37 A.D. The portrait carved into the sapphire is thought to be of Caligula’s last wife, Caesonia.
The probability that it was made for, or once belonged to, any Roman Emperor is estimated to be more than 50 percent it that would make it one of the most historic known jewels.
I have read another theory:
“The other theory I read in this thread of Antoninus Pius is a bit more plausible. Faustina the Elder died early in his reign, and he ruled for almost twenty more years, and presided over one of the richest periods of the Principate. It may very well be that he was responsible for ordering it created. But judging from the size of it, what's engraved into it, I don't think it was intended for a male. My guess is that he had it made for his daughter, Faustina the Younger, in memory of her mother whose likeness is engraved into. If this is true, then it raises another curious possibility.
After Faustina the Younger married Marcus Aurelius he ran into financial problems during the crisis periods which wracked his reign. To keep the legions paid, the treasury running dry, he was forced to sell his wife's jewels rather than raise taxes. It's fascinating to consider that this ring may have been a part of that transaction, which may have led to its ultimate survival. If it had belonged to Caligula, or was being worn by Caesonia, I suspect it would've been looted and broken up or lost in the chaos following his assassination.“
Caligula's beautiful sapphire ring was part of the collection of the Earl of Arundel from 1637 to 1762 when it became one of the famous 'Marlborough Gems.'
Not surprisingly, the ring caused a sensation when it was made available for purchase in an auction by Royal jewelers Wartski.
"This ring is one of the prestigious 'Marlborough Gems,' having previously been in the collection of the Earl of Arundel. It is crafted entirely of sapphire. Very few hololiths exist, and I would argue this is the best example you can find. We believe it belonged to the debauched Emperor Caligula, and the engraving shows his final wife Caesonia," Kieran McCarthy, Wartski director, said.
Caligula's ring was finally sold for close to £500,000 in 2019.
doodledog8
·3 years agoThis is so stunning ... as much as I love gems, I just don't have the time to stay up on pieces of art and this is one . THANK YOU for sharing this with us. I love it. Can you imagine finding this ? I wonder how it became a possession of the Earl of Arundel ?