Roman ring

ITEM: Ring
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 2nd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 18 mm x 28 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex European private collection, Ex Galerie Bader (1976), Ex private collection, M.E.S., Switzerland

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 4 to 6 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the amount of the sale, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Roman rings were an essential part of personal adornment, serving not only as decorative jewelry but also as symbols of status, identity, and even practical function. Made from a variety of materials, including gold, silver, bronze, and iron, these rings often featured engraved gemstones, intaglios, or intricate relief designs. Wealthier Romans wore rings adorned with precious stones such as garnet, amethyst, and carnelian, sometimes carved with deities, mythological figures, or protective symbols. Rings were also used to display personal or family crests, and for those of higher social standing, they could signify official rank or political allegiance.

One of the most distinctive types of Roman rings was the signet ring (anulus signatorius), which bore an engraved gemstone used to seal documents with wax or clay. These rings were particularly important for merchants, officials, and elites who needed to authenticate letters and legal agreements. The engravings on these rings varied from initials and monograms to intricate scenes of gods, heroes, and animals, reflecting the personal beliefs and tastes of the wearer. Some rings also bore inscriptions, including Latin phrases invoking good fortune, love, or protection. In the later Roman period, Christian symbols such as the Chi-Rho or the Good Shepherd began appearing on rings, reflecting the growing influence of Christianity in the empire.

Beyond their social and functional significance, Roman rings also had amuletic and funerary roles. Some rings were believed to offer protection against illness or misfortune, incorporating magical symbols or inscriptions. Others were buried with the deceased as grave goods, signifying their personal identity or beliefs in the afterlife.