Roman Gold Ring With Banded Intaglio

£ 1,250.00

An ancient Roman solid gold finger ring featuring a tapering shank below the wide sloping shoulders. The round bezel is set with a conical, banded glass setting in imitation of agate.

Internal diameter 2.34 cm. UK ring size I.

Date: Circa 3rd - 4th Century AD
Provenance: Acquired on the London art market prior to 1980.
Condition: Very fine condition, complete and intact.

SOLD

SKU: AS-3084 Category: Tag:

The ancient Romans considered jewellery to be an essential accessory, for it provided a public display of their wealth. Roman jewellery at first followed trends set by the Etruscans, using gold and glass beads, but as the power and spread of the Roman Empire increased, so too did jewellery designs became increasingly elaborate. Different cultural styles from Greece, Egypt, North Africa, and the Orient were all incorporated to reflect Rome’s prosperity as a dominant, conquering city. The wide range of natural resources enabled artisans to create ostentatious jewellery using a diverse selection of materials: this increasingly included sapphires, diamonds, emeralds, garnet and amber from India, and pearls (which were particularly prized). Archaeological finds of Roman jewellery are relatively rare, considering the magnitude of Roman civilisation, and the historical and geographical span of the Empire.

The custom of wearing rings was popular amongst the Romans, and was probably introduced by the Sabines, who are described in early legends as wearing gold rings with precious stones. During the Roman Republic it became customary for all the senators, chief magistrates, and at last for the equites also, to wear gold rings.

 

Weight 10 g
Dimensions W 2.34 cm
Culture

Metal

Region

Glass

Reference: Cf. Henkel F, Die Romischen Fingerringe der Rheinlandeund der Benachbarten Gebiete, Berlin, 1913, item 73.