Roman Bronze Signet Finger Ring with Bird

$44.20

An Ancient Roman cast bronze signet ring, composed of a round hoop, and a round bezel. The bezel is engraved with the crude depiction of a bird. UK ring size F.

Date: Circa 1st-3rd Century AD
Condition: Fine, suitable for wear with modern care.

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SKU: FP-291 Category: Tags: ,

The ancient Romans enjoyed wearing jewellery, especially rings, as a way to demonstrate their wealth and social status in the Roman society. Rings could have been modelled in gold, silver or bronze, and enriched by precious and semi-precious stones, or even glass. Some rings would have included an incised bezel, which might have been used to authenticate or sign documents. Intaglios included decorative motives driven from mythology, literature or from the personal life of the owner. Animals were also favoured decorative motives, either associated with specific deities or myths, or as popular domestic animals. In Roman religion, birds were important animals connected with the method of divination which involved the observation of their flights. This was practiced by the augures and the signs they interpreted were called auspicia. Decorative motives featuring birds became extremely popular on ceremonial, everyday artefacts and jewellery.

Weight 3.8 g
Dimensions W 1.4 cm
Culture

Metal

Region