This carved ring bowl is one of only five known in stone. While two are of jadelike stone, one of orange buff stone, only two are made from marble with...
This carved ring bowl is one of only five known in stone. While two are of jadelike stone, one of orange buff stone, only two are made from marble with plain bowls surmounted on top. The context of discovery for all five rings are lost. However, it is known that one of the jadelike rings and the ring of buff stone were found on Naxos, and it is very well likely that all the rings were produced if not also found there. Our ring is said to have been found with a harp player carved in the Early Spedos style.
The ring fits a woman’s ring or smallest finger. Alternatively, it might have been mounted on a wooden rod. Vivid remains of red pigment on the chipped spout and in the diminutive bowl suggest a use in the cosmetic painting process: with the ring secure on one hand, the painter’s other hand would be free to apply the paint. Also, it is speculated that the ring might have symbolic connections to music as it was discovered with a Cycladic marble harp player.