A Persian Banded Agate Cabochon set as a ring, Achaemenid Empire, ca. 550 - 330 BCE Sculpture - Architectural and luminous materials

and luminous materials

reflecting both the skill of Achaemenid artisans and the enduring beauty of goldwork in antiquity

preserving finely incised hieroglyphic inscriptions on multiple faces

It has been strung as a pendant on a modern 18K yellow gold chain suitable for wearing

A shallow rim chip and a partially restored hair line in the rim

A Persian Banded Agate Cabochon set as a ring, Achaemenid Empire, ca. 550 - 330 BCE Sculpture - Architectural and luminous materialsThis lovely ring centers on an ancient banded agate cabochon dating to the Achaemenid period. The stone is cut as a high dome and polished to a smooth finish, its natural concentric layers in dark gray and white forming a pronounced eye motif. Across the Persian world, such stones were prized not only for their visual appeal but also for their protective associations. Ancient sources and later traditions describe agate as a powerful talisman. Warriors