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ROMAN GOLD RING WITH DIONYSUS GEMSTONE

3rd century AD. A gold ring with flat-section hoop with ropework borders and ribbing; expanding shoulders with openwork scrolls; oval-shaped bezel with ropework border holding nicolo gemstone with intaglio of Dionysus. Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 414, for almost identical type. 5.03 grams, 21.44mm overall, 16.47mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10) (3/4"). From the private collection of Antony John Scammell (1937-2019); acquired on the UK art market from 1960-2000. Antony John Scammell (1937-2019) was born, and lived his entire life, in the city of Bristol, England. Already from an early age he was enthralled by history and the heroes that it created. While serving overseas with the British Army, Antony began collecting coins and banknotes and this led to collecting a variety of different items throughout his life. From the early 1960s onward, Antony invested in acquiring ancient artefacts. Antony's vast collections started with Egyptian antiquities, but soon branched into Greek and Roman civilisations. The Roman civilisation fascinated him most and, when family commitments allowed, archaeological digs were coordinated in the west of England. These digs uncovered numerous artefacts, many of which were donated to local museums. In retirement, the collecting continued apace, branching into UK coins, British Empire banknotes and fossils. Fine condition.