1st-3rd century AD. An intaglio gemstone, circular in section, the orange carnelian engraved with the image of a standing horse, surmounted by the image of a star, looking towards left, the frontal right paw raised, set into a later gold ring. See Tsetskhladze, G.R., 'The Cult of Mithras in Ancient Colchi' in Revue de l'histoire des religions, tome 209, n°2, 1992, pp.115-124; Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, item 690, for type.5.93 grams, 22.20mm overall, 18.19mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14) (3/4"). From the property of an Essex private collector; acquired in the early 1990s; accompanied by an independent specialist report and valuation by graduate gemmologist and jewellery expert Anna Rogers, GIA GG, BA, Gem-A, ref. no. 9081/07/12/2020. From the middle of the 3rd century, gem production in the Roman Empire declined rapidly. However, the intaglio of the rings, which were of the same shape as before and typical of the time, was still bearing images of classical antiquity beside the new Christian symbols. Many associations surround horse imagery in the ancient world. Horses were linked to warriors and hunters; they were a symbol of upper class status; and they were affiliated with the god Poseidon. In Late Antiquity the horse was connected with Mithras, in ancient Persia known as the god of hunters and horsemen. In various provinces of the Roman Empire, like Germania and Pannonia, reliefs and frescoes have been found depicting Mithras as a horseman complete with attributes such as stars, the moon and a dog or snake under the horse's hooves.