Gold ring with a ruby intaglio excavated from Jarintay, Nilqa County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China; 2nd-4th century.
“The center of the ring is a circle with two animal heads on either side that appear to be wide-mouthed toads with rubies for
eyes. The front of the ring is set with an oval ruby surrounded by a border of gold beads. A seated woman is incised (intaglio)
onto the ruby. Overall, the composition is reminiscent of Gandharan or more central Indian pieces, albeit with Graeco-Roman or Graeco-Persian elements.” Xinjiang Institute of Archaeology Collection
Victor H. Mair, ed., “The ‘Silk Roads’ in Time and Space” Sino-Platonic Papers 228 (July 2012) http://www.sino-platonic.org/complete/spp228_silk_roads.pdf