The Vintage Etruscan Form Rams Head Ring

This delightful example of ancient symbolism features a ram's head with horns to a scaled back made of blue enamel. The ring tests as 18ct gold and weighs an impressive 12.76g. The ram's horns are the symbol of the zodiac sign of Aries and even the Greek name of this sign (krios=ram) indicates the correlation between the zodiac sign and the ram. The ring is designed to be open loop, its band expands or could be squeezed tighter. In its current setting it measures Size Q UK/AU, 8 Us/Ca, 57¾ Fr/Ru, 18 De but could easily be worn by anyone a few sizes above that or be sized down slightly. The ram, the most highly valued and sexually potent of domestic animals, was from earliest times the most prestigious sacrificial victim. A ram’s head might have been worn to show the patronage of, or devotion to, a deity. For a Greek or an Etruscan, a ram’s-head pendant may have been an exotic, magical amulet, a talisman of protection, one that symbolised the power or knowledge of Egypt, the Punic world, or the Near East. This vintage ring has some usual wear in keeping with its age to the base of the band. The enamel is in good condition and a little lighter towards the bottom. A wonderful piece of standout jewellery.