Spiral finger ring

This spiral finger ring, with terminals in the form of the head and tail of a snake, is wrought from a fine hammered sheet with midrib, and bears incised decoration at the edges. Of particular interest are the coils of the neck and the tail, and the ornate rendering of the snakehead. This type of ring first appeared in the 4th c. BC but enjoyed wide distribution all over the Hellenistic world during the 2nd c. BC. There are similar multi-spiral bracelets with snake terminals and it is possible that some of these formed sets with the corresponding rings. The ring exemplifies the excessive finesse attained in minor arts and jewellery in the Hellenistic period, thanks to the mingling of many different traditions and the availability of precious metals ensured by the unhindered commercial activity in the Eastern Mediterranean.