Roman Ring with Charioteer Holding Palm Branch of Victory. 2nd-4th century A.D. A bronze finger ring with round-section hoop, oval plaque with incised image of an auriga (charioteer), dressed with a very close-fitting gumnastikon (shirt with sleeves) under the sleeveless aurigarion tunic reaching just above the knee; the tunic tied around his waist by a sash, and divided towards the centre of the chest by a vertical line; the pectoral part distinguished by the effect of the parallel stripes corresponding to the ribs; holding a laurel crown and palm branch, symbol of victory. Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 246, for type. 2.82 grams, 23.08 mm overall, 18.24 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16) (7/8 in.) Early 1990s London collection. Acquired on the UK art market. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK. The ring shows an image of a charioteer in the moment of victory, with his right hand carrying a laurel, and his left hand a palm branch. The iconography is visible in the monument of Porphyrios in Constantinople and the charioteers of the Baccano mosaics. [No Reserve]

Fine condition.