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Ring-stone with palmettes and palms

3rd–late 2nd century BCE

Not on view

Recent finds of gold foil alongside finely carved discs suggest ring and disc stones were jewelers’ molds. Their designs incorporate honeysuckle and lotus, signs of auspiciousness and abundance. The Hellenized honeysuckle, introduced to India from Persia, had a popular local equivalent, the snake flower (nagapuspa).

Ring-stone with palmettes and palms, Steatite, Northern India — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Ring-stone with palmettes and palms, Steatite, Northern India

Ring-stone with palmettes and palms, Steatite, Northern India

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Ring-stone with palmettes and palms

Period: Maurya

Date: 3rd–late 2nd century BCE

Culture: Northern India

Medium: Steatite

Dimensions: Diam. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm); Th. 3/4 in. (1.9 cm)

Classification: Stone

Credit Line: Lent by a private collection

Accession Number: TS.042a

The Met

Asian Art at The Met

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world.