Ringstone

200s BC

Ringstone, 200s BC. India, Maurya period. Steatite; diameter: 10.2 cm (4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1977.36 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.