Gold ring with cameo glass portrait of the Emperor Augustus

Unknown

1st half of 1st century CE · Gold with glass · Greek and Roman Art

Many such small decorative items were probably made as gifts for friends and supporters of Augustus and his dynasty. At the top end of the scale were real sardonyx cameos, made for those with close family ties, while at the other end were plain glass medallions, mass produced for distribution to soldiers in the imperial army, who wore them as phalerae (medallions) on their armor.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1st half of 1st century CE

Medium

Gold with glass

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of Robert Haber and The Artemis Group, 1995