Ancient Javanese Gold Finger Ring with Auspicious Ram Motif

This auspicious gold finger ring with an elongated oval bezel cast and chased with a ram with long horns is from Central Java. The shoulders of the ring are cast in such a way that they might be interpreted as elephant heads with trunks forming the hoop of the ring.

Several finger rings with a ram motif are known. Two are illustrated in Bremer (2014, p. 242.) Bremer suggests that the rams might be mythical beasts that pulled the chariot of the sun god Surya.

Large quantities of gold jewellery and other items have been found in Central and East Java and which date from this period. It was a time when Buddhism and Hinduism seem to have peacefully co-existed at the same time. The quantity of gold attests to the relative wealth of Java at this time.

The gold tests for at least 18 carats. The contours of thew ring have softened with use and age. It is stable and wearable.