This ancient Roman gem features a few intriguing symbols. What do they mean? 1. In antiquity, gems were often given as gifts as mementos of love. The inscription on this one says, "Remember me, your dear sweetheart, and fare well, Sophronios." . 2. In ancient Rome, Pliny the Elder wrote that “memory is located lobe of the ear,” and here the ear-pinching motif implies to “pay attention.” . 3. However, the knotted fabric is not a common symbol and its meaning is mysterious. What could it be? One theory: anothing symbol meaning to remember. Today you might tie a string around your finger or in a knot to jog your memory. What are your favorite symbols in art? Cameo set in a modern mount, 5th century A.D., Roman. The J. Paul Getty Museum. . #GetArtHistory