Seal ring help

[rami1785]

could you guys help me with this nice seal ring like age or any information Judea , Roman , Greek and about the stone .

[Russ]

Hi Rami,

     From your photo, it is impossible to identify the material. The design motif seems to be a standing aged man with a cane with a boy kneeling and facing him. What is under the tree closest to the trunk? Is it a trophy or letters?
     Designs with figures under a tree are rare and most depict Eros and may be described as being of the Imperial Classicizing Style (Roman) of the 1st to 2nd century AD. For intaglios with figures under trees, See:
1.     Middleton, Sheila H. Seals, Finger Rings, Engraved Gems and Amulets in the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter, Exeter, 1998: page 48, Number 38.
2.     Walters, H.B. Catalogue of the Engraved Gems and Cameos, Greek, Etruscan and Roman, in the British Museum, London, 1926: No. 2877, page 278, Plate XXX.
     I hope this helps.

Russ

[rami1785]

about the  References that u gave its interesting thank you

and its not a letter .

[v-drome]

Very interesting gem.  Might this be Faustulus? He is the "mythical shepherd that found Romulus and Remus".  See Anit Hamburger, "Gems From Caesarea Maritima" Atiqot English Series, Volume VIII, 1968, Number 141.  If you google "faustulus intaglio" you might find some pictures.  Hamburger mentions that there were many elements to the myth, most of which were not usually engraved on each gem, so there can be many elements which are not included in the designs.

[rami1785]

amazing , i love this forum   thank you

[Gert]

I think that Faustulus can only be identified if the figure is accompanied by other elements of the Roman foundation legend, for example the wolf and twins, of which I see no evidence here. It does seem to be a rural scene with farmers or shepherds.
Regards
Gert

[Roma_Orbis]

Hi Rami,

  Your picture is not very clear but the stone looks dark green, which could be then a jasper.

Iconography : the subject is a typical rustic scene featuring a shepherd (man with rural clothes, holding a stick), a kneeling character at his feet (taking care of a goat?), in front of a rustic shrine (edicula on top of rocks) at the base of a tree. See attached pictures of similar stones featuring shepherds and rustic shrines.

Period : I would say stone and subject make a datation of 2nd or early 3rd century AD likely.

A print using modeling clay (like for children) would make your stone more readable.

Jérôme