Intaglio rings were a popular style of jewellery in Ancient Rome and have been uncovered across the full geographic extent of the former Roman Empire. The nature of their individual production meant that designs and details show a wide variety, though there are common themes, such as certain gods, which were especially popular. This particular example, displaying Cupid, was amongst the more popular designs as a result of Cupid’s links to themes of love and romance, an important aspect of daily Roman life, much as it remains today.
To discover more about Roman jewellery, please visit our relevant blog post: Roman Jewellery: Gold Rings.