Collection: Macquarie University History Museum
Intaglio Ring depicting the Three Graces
| Accession # | MU4760 |
| Creator | |
| Culture | Roman |
| Period | Mid-High Empire |
| Date | 1st - 2nd Century CE |
| Provenance | Unknown |
| Material/s | Silver and green gemstone |
| Dimensions | c. 51mm |
| Collection | Macquarie University History Museum |
| Source | Macquarie University, MAC |
| Classification |
Photograph; Effy Alexakis Photowrite
MU4760 is a silver intaglio (engraved gemstone) ring depicting the Three Graces. The ring has been horizontally set with an oval green gemstone intaglio that is finely engraved with three female standing figures which represent the Three Graces; Thalia, Euphrosyne and Aglaia. The gemstone is set within a closed back silver ring, the surface of which is slightly abraded and marked. Rings were commonly worn by both Roman men and women and fine examples such as MU4760 would have functioned as an obvious sign of wealth, social status and merit. Gemstone engraving was a popular artform in Roman society and MU4760 is an excellent example of the exceptional work done by highly skilled specialist craftsmen. Due to the hardness of the gemstone the manufacturing process for rings such MU4760 would have been a difficult and lengthy process. Designs were carved into the gemstone using fine metal tools and an abrasive powder made from a material harder than the stone itself.
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Syllabus Links
- Syllabus Links Stage 6 HSC Core Study. Cities of Vesuvius – Investigating and
interpreting the sources for Pompeii and Herculaneum
- Everyday life; housing, leisure activities, food and dining, clothing, health, baths, water supply, sanitation (ACHAH377)
- The social structure; men, women, freedmen, slaves (ACHAH375)
- Religion; household gods, temples, foreign cults and religions, tombs (ACHAH376)
- The influence of Greek and Egyptian cultures; art and architecture (ACHAH378)
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Historical Concepts and Skills; Analysis and use of sources
- Explain the meaning and value of sources for an historical inquiry (ACHAH007, ACHAH009)
- Analyse sources to identify and account for the different perspectives of individuals and groups in the past (ACHAH010)
- Analyse and synthesise evidence from different types of sources to develop reasoned claims (ACHAH008)
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Historical Concepts and Skills; Historical Interpretation
- Form judgements about historical significance, recognising that significance may be attributed for different purposes
- Analyse and evaluate contested interpretations and representations of the past (ACHAH011, ACHAH012)
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Historical Concepts and Skills; Historical investigation and research
- Use evidence from a range of sources to inform investigation and research (ACHAH005)
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Historical Concepts and Skills; Explanation and communication
- Develop texts, particularly historical accounts and arguments, supported by relevant evidence from sources (ACHAH013)
- Syllabus Links Stage 6 HSC Core Study. Cities of Vesuvius – Investigating and
interpreting the sources for Pompeii and Herculaneum
- Educational Resources
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Online Resources
- The Getty Museum – The Art of Gem Carving
- PompeiiinPictures – The House of Gemmarius, Gem-cutters workshop
- Three Graces fresco from the House of Titus Dentatus Panther, Pompeii
- INTRODUCTORY SOURCE - Ideas Roadshow; Herculaneum Uncovered – A Conversation with Andrew Wallace-Hadrill
- INTRODUCTORY SOURCE - Pompeii Bibliography and Mapping Project
- INTRODUCTORY SOURCE – PompeiiinPictures
- INTRODUCTORY SOURCE – HerculaneuminPictures
- INTRODUCTORY SOURCE – Herculaneum Panoramas
- RECENT DISCOVERIES – Instagram account and updates from excavations at regio. V at Pompeii
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Bibliography/References
- Cooley, E. & Cooley, M.G.L., (2013), Pompeii and Herculaneum A Source Book, London, p. 80-97.
- Daly, K. M., (2009), Greek and Roman Mythology A-Z, New York.
- D’Ambrosi, A., (2001), Women and Beauty in Pompeii, Los Angeles.
- Dobbins, J. & Foss, P., (2008) The World of Pompeii, London.
- Francis, J. (2002), ‘The Three Graces; Composition and Meaning in a Roman Context’, Greece & Rome 49;2,180-198.
Cite this page
Macquarie University History Museum (2020). Intaglio Ring depicting the Three Graces, MU4760. //objectbasedlearning.com/Macquarie-University-History-Museum/MU4760 (accessed on: 14 June 2020).Rights & Permissions
We support the open release of data and information about our collections. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.