Finger Ring with a Sphinx and Winged Lion

A gold-plated hoop has added oval bezel framed by a hatched border, which encloses an image of a sphinx with its foreleg raised (left) facing a winged lion (right). The sphinx has a human head and is wearing a pointed cap. Between the two creatures is a branch and below the sphinx is a star.

Greek and Etruscan metal rings with engraved bezels ultimately derive from Egyptian and Phoenician cartouche-shaped rings. The influence is clearest on rings such as this one, with a long straight-sided bezel and rounded ends. The cartouche-shaped ring was especially popular in Etruria, where a number of examples have been discovered in the tombs of women.