Silver Ring depicting an Erotic Scene from a Silver Cast of a Roman Engraved Stone

A 925-sterling silver ring depicting an erotic scene, reproduced from a Roman engraved stoned of the First or Second century AD. The metal carving is obtained directly from a silver cast of the engraved stone. Erotic scenes, reproducing a variety of subjects and situations, are frequently found in Roman artifacts and jewels. Erotism is a relatively common theme of Roman artistic representations, with abundant paintings, jewels, artifacts, and literary productions describing sexual subjects and situations. The modern sensibility toward sexuality is markedly different from the one predominant during the Roman empire era. Thus, to understand and appreciate such artistic expressions from the classic epoch, it is important not to approach the subject of sexuality according to current cultural, moral and religious models. Depicting sexual and erotic situations was not “immoral” for the Romans, but rather an expression of joy and happiness (think of Pompei’s frescos!). Sexuality permeated the lives of ancient Romans and their approach to various erotic expressions was casual and uninhibited compared to modern standards of modesty and appropriateness. The Romans did not even attribute too much importance to the type of sexual act –if hetero or homosexual. Sexuality was celebrated as a powerful universal force, regardless of the details.