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Ringstone
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Ringstones are among the earliest works of art to be created in stone during India's historical period. This example is finely carved with detailed images of affectionate couples and palm trees, running animals, and geometric motifs in concentric circles. The function of ringstones remains uncertain, since none of the surviving examples is inscribed or explained in a text.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineRingstone, 200s BCE. India, Maurya period (322–185 BCE). Steatite; diameter: 10.2 cm (4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 1977.36
