4th century BC. A lentoid-section hoop supporting an elliptical bezel with intaglio motif of a leaping stag, under its legs the (possible) Greek inscription ????? (ellós, 'young deer'), possibly intended to have a double meaning. See Austrian Academy of Sciences, Romances of Antiquity, Wien, 2006; Boardman, J. and Vollenweider, M.L., Catalogue of the Engraved Gems and Finger Rings I, Greek and Etruscans, Oxford, 1978.5.73 grams, 23.09mm overall, 19.92mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17) (1"). Property of a European collector; previously in a Dutch collection. In Greek mythology, the deer is particularly associated with Artemis in her role as virginal huntress. Actaeon, after witnessing the nude figure of Artemis bathing in a pool, was transformed by Artemis into a stag that his own hounds tore to pieces. [No Reserve]