Superb ring from Magna Graecia in pure 22kt gold weighing 8.5.1 grams dating back to around the fourth - fifth century BC, perfectly wearable, the flat surface represents a bearded griffin sitting with outstretched wings looking towards the right. The representation of the griffin is quite widespread in the ancient world and especially in the Mycenaean and Greek ones. The griffin as a chimerical heraldic figure symbolizes guardianship and vigilance. Furthermore, since it brings together the dominant animal on earth, the lion, with the dominant one in heaven, the eagle, the griffin also symbolizes perfection and power. If represented with lion-like forelimbs, it is distinguished as Opinicus. The ancient Greek artist engraved the head of a bearded man on our griffin which adds to the animal the meaning of bearer of wisdom. Our ring comes from a London collection now in a private collection in Miami. Florida. The object being an important jewel is shipped with all precautions to guarantee its safe arrival.