In Ancient Roman society, jewellery was an essential accessory, providing the wearer with a public display of their wealth, social status, and identity. Roman jewellery at first followed the trends set by the Etruscans, employing the use of gold and glass beads. As the power and spread of the Roman Empire increased, jewellery designs became increasingly elaborate, utilising the many different materials, techniques, and styles found across the expanding empire, particularly from Greece, Egypt, North Africa, and the Orient. Rings were widely worn by men, women, and children, across the empire, with some rings having a practical use, such as signets, whilst others purely for decoration.
Roman Gold Child’s Ring with Engraved Figures
£ 200.00
A delicate Ancient Roman gold ring, featuring a thin slightly misshapen band with tapering shoulders that lead to a flattened oval bezel. The bezel is engraved in low relief with a stylised standing male figure, turned to the right. His legs are spread apart, with his left leg extended outwards, and his arms are raised, one across his chest and the other by his head. He looks down towards another figure, perhaps a leaping dog or a smaller human figure, advancing towards him with their arm raised. Behind, there is another engraved detail, possibly a staff or a cornucopia. All the figures stand on a straight line at the bottom, representing the ground. Its small size indicates that it was intended to be worn by a child or above the knuckle.
Provenance: From the H.M. Barker private collection, England, U.K.
Condition: Fine condition. Some tarnishing and minor scratches to the surface.
SOLD
| Weight | 0.74 g |
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| Dimensions | L 1.3 x W 1.1 x H 0.4 cm |
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