Finger-ring with intaglios

European Museums, The British Museum

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Finger-ring with intaglios

In Roman society, intaglios (carved gemstones) set into finger-rings were often used to express religious devotion. These three example shows pastoral scenes of a shepherd and sheep - a pagan motif that became a model for Christian depictions of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Since these intaglios date from the Early Christian period, they may have been worn by either a pagan or a Christian.

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Finger-ring with intaglios

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Source:  London, United Kingdom