Etruscan and Italic ringstones
26
Cornelian ringstone, shape F1.
17x12.
Published: RA 1971, 211, fig. 25.
A man wearing a chlamys and holding a short branch bends over a cage containg a bird. Over his head an insect (?). Hatched border.
This may imply some form of divination, attended by what in Rome was called a pullarius, but a practice of Etruscan origin.
4th cent. BC.
27
Cornelian ringstone, shape F1.
20x15.
Published: RA 1971, 212, fig. 26.
Naked, beardless Herakles crouching over his club and pulling dress around his loins (?). Behind him a man with spread wings holding a small branch, possibly Hypnos (Sleep) or Thanatos (Death). Zigzag in the exergue.
4th/3rd cent. BC.
28
Cornelian ringstone, shape F1.
14.5x11.
Published: RA 1971, 212, fig. 27.
Hermes with a caduceus and wearing a chlamys stoops to lift the upper part of a man by his arm. Inscribed TRIS (perhaps modern). Hatched border.
This probably Hermes in his Greek role as escort of the dead.
3rd cent. BC.
29
Cornelian ringstone, shape F1.
12x10.
Published: RA 1971, 212, fig. 28; LIMC Argos III no. 4.
Argos, shipwright of the Argo, wearing a chlamys, works with an adze on the forepart of the ship, standing on its bow. Ground line. Hatched border.
3rd cent. BC.
30
Cornelian ringstone, shape F1.
10x8.
Published: RA 1971, 212, fig. 29; LIMC Daidalos et Ikaros no. 3.
Daidalos seated on a pile of rocks works with an adze on a wing for his son. Short ground line. Hatched border.
3rd cent. BC.
31
Cornelian ringstone, shape F1.
12x9.5.
Published: RA 1971, 213, fig. 30.
A man in a chlamys stoops over an oracular head, holding a scroll.
3rd/2nd cent. BC.
32
Onyx ringstone with pale transverse band, shape F1.
18x11x2.
A dressed standing figure holding a branch, beside a low column or altar and the front of a stag. Short ground line.
This may be Artemis, or a priestess of Artemis, or just possibly Iphigeneia for whom a stag will be substituted at sacrifice.
2nd cent. BC.
33
Agate ringstone, crossbanded, shape F6.
18x10x3.5.
Iphigeneia and Orestes. She stands, fully dressed and with a hand raised, beside a column on an altar. Orestes, naked, moves away holding the statue of Artemis which he has taken from the column. Hatched border.
3rd/2nd cent. BC.
34
Agate ringstone with pale transverse band, shape F1.
15x12x1.
Decorating a shield. A naked youth seated on rocks is working with hammer and chisel on the gorgoneion blazon of a shield, which is supported by a second youth, standing. Hatched border.
3rd/2nd cent. BC.
35
Onyx ringstone with pale transverse band, shape F5.
15x10.5x1.5.
Consulting a head-oracle. A man wearing a himation, a column or staff behind him, holds a short stick over a head, which two dressed youths stoop over. Ground line.
2nd/1st cent. BC.
36
Onyx ringstone with pale transverse band, shape F1.
13x9x2
A wounded hero, with helmet, shield with star (?) device, and spear, has his thigh bound up by a kneeling man who wears a loincloth.
3rd/2nd cent. BC.
37
Onyx ringstone with pale transverse band, shape F1.
9x7.5x1.5.
A philosopher. A man seated on a solid chair, himation around his legs, is reading from a scroll. Before him a herm, and a crater. Ground line.
1st cent. BC.
38
Cornelian ringstone, shape F1.
15x11x2
Head of a bearded warrior wearing a helmet with plume, a flower on the crown, cheekguard and turned up neckpiece. Curls on the beard.
2nd/1st cent. BC.
