Clay Ring 400 - 999

This small clay ring was made by an anonymous artist, at an unknown time. Its modest scale belies its potential significance as a cultural artifact. Without knowing the place and period of its creation, it's hard to say what its meaning would have been. The incised lines suggest surface decoration, but could also represent a social or political emblem. Was the ring purely ornamental, or might it have served some practical purpose? Its presence in a museum like this one raises questions about institutional collecting practices, and the value we place on objects from the past. What social conditions allow for the preservation of such an object? The work of the historian is to try to understand the context of the artwork, including such factors as geography, religion, social class, and economics.