2,000 year old sapphire ring belonged to Roman Emperor Caligula goes on sale

  30 September 2019    Read: 1398
2,000 year old sapphire ring belonged to Roman Emperor Caligula goes on sale

A sapphire ring thought to have belonged to notorious Roman emperor Caligula is being sold for close to £500,000.

The 2,000-year-old sky-blue hololith has a face believed to be that of fourth wife Caesonia engraved into the bezel.

She was said to be so beautiful he paraded her naked in front of troops. Caligula reigned from 37AD until his assassination four years later.

He was said to overindulge in spending and sex.

The ring features at an exhibition of more than 100 engraved gems in London this week by royal jewellers Wartski.

Kieran McCarthy, Wartski director, said: "It is crafted entirely of sapphire. Very few horoliths exist and I would argue this is the best example you can find.

"We believe it belonged to the debauched Emperor Caligula and the engraving shows his final wife Caesonia.

"The gems at the exhibition have prices ranging from £5,000 to £500,000. While we don't want to disclose its price out of discretion for potential buyers, this gem is at the top end of that range."


More about: sapphire-ring   Caligula  


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