A Roman chrome chalcedony ringstone with Lupa Romana, circa 1st century BC. Estimation: USD 2,000 - 3,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015

The convex oval stone engraved with the she-wolf suckling the twins Romulus and Remus, on a groundline, two Greek letters in the field above, T ?, likely the initials of the original owner; mounted as a ring in a modern gold setting - ¾ in. (1.9 cm.) wide; ring size 8½

PROVENANCE: with Bernheimer's Antique Arts, Cambridge, MA, prior to 1992. 
Virginia Williamson, New Hampshire; thence by descent.

Notes: The legend of the founding of Rome centers around twin brothers, Romulus and Remus. Born of a union between Rhea Silvia, a princess of the Latin city Alba Longa, and the god Mars, the twins were abandoned upon their birth due to a jealous uncle of their mother's who wanted sole claim to the throne. They were then thrown into the Tiber river and rescued by a she-wolf who raised them as her own. The brothers would eventually go on to found a city, but a disagreement over where exactly to lay its foundation led Romulus to kill Remus, and name the city after himself.

Christie's. Ancient Jewelry sale - Online auctions December 1 -10.