Roman Clasped Hands Gemstone in Gold Ring 2nd-3rd century A.D. A gold ring with circular hoop, oval-shaped bezel with pearled edge, set with a carnelian intaglio engraved with 'dextrarum lunctio'. Cf. Cowan, R., Imperial Roman Legionary AD 161-284, Oxford, 2003, p.53. 4.72 grams, 24.23 mm overall, 20.80mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16) (1 in.). German art market before 2000. With a European gentleman living in the UK. Property of a Surrey gentleman. The subject of two clasped hands symbolising the fides (loyalty, trust), was very popular on the Roman rings and gems. It was mainly used on marriage rings (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accessory no.63.1555), sometimes with the equivalent Greek inscription 'OMONOIA', but also in the army, establishing the pact of trust between the emperor and his army (fides exercitus) (Cowan, 2003, p.53), in this case often accompanied by an image of a military standard between the two clasped hands.