Ancient Roman Gold Ring with Dolphins Supporting Beads
08
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15
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28
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Current bid
€ 25
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 1,100 - € 1,400
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 | €25 | |
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| €20 |
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Ancient Roman gold ring with a thin D-shaped loop, featuring two naturalistic dolphins supporting three glass beads, dating to circa 1st–3rd century AD, weighing 4.25 g, measuring 2.6 cm by 1.8 cm, UK size J, acquired from a private collection in 1990, authentic and in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
A beautiful Ancient Roman gold ring, featuring a thin D-shaped loop and a delicate pair of dolphins, shown supporting three glass beads. From the shoulders of the ring, two dolphins rise up, with their curving bodies leading to a flared tail. The dolphins have been depicted facing down, attached to the band of the ring. They have been rendered naturalistically, with rounded eyes and snouts, enriched by a spiralling wire, wrapped around their bodies. Their tails have been pierced and a wire has been threaded through, with three glass beads suspended. Two red beads flank a green bead, further adorning the ring. Earthly encrustations, toning, tarnishing, and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as minor pitting, chipping, warping, and indentations, to the surface.
As in many ancient societies, jewellery was an important social marker used to demonstrate wealth and richness. In Ancient Greek culture jewellery was worn in everyday life but was also buried with the decease as part of his or her funerary outfit. Jewellery might have been enriched by precious and semi-precious stones and decorative motives would have included popular myths, gods, goddesses, and heroes. The most common models included many zoomorphic heads, such as bulls’, lions’, goats’ heads and dolphins. Jewellery such as this was crafted for everyday use, instead of being destined exclusively to a funerary purpose. In Ancient Greek and Roman mythology dolphins were associated with the sea and with the sphere of sensual love, bearing an amatory symbolism. Because of the assonance between the ancient Greek word delphis, δελφίς, meaning dolphin, and the word delphus, δελφύς, meaning womb, dolphins were considered animals sacred to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, fertility and desire.
Measurements: (circa) L 2.6cm x W 1.8cm
Closest UK Ring Size: J
Weight: 4.25g
Provenance: Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman's collection, 1980-1990s.
Seller's Story
N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.
ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price.
Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees.
Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images.
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
A beautiful Ancient Roman gold ring, featuring a thin D-shaped loop and a delicate pair of dolphins, shown supporting three glass beads. From the shoulders of the ring, two dolphins rise up, with their curving bodies leading to a flared tail. The dolphins have been depicted facing down, attached to the band of the ring. They have been rendered naturalistically, with rounded eyes and snouts, enriched by a spiralling wire, wrapped around their bodies. Their tails have been pierced and a wire has been threaded through, with three glass beads suspended. Two red beads flank a green bead, further adorning the ring. Earthly encrustations, toning, tarnishing, and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as minor pitting, chipping, warping, and indentations, to the surface.
As in many ancient societies, jewellery was an important social marker used to demonstrate wealth and richness. In Ancient Greek culture jewellery was worn in everyday life but was also buried with the decease as part of his or her funerary outfit. Jewellery might have been enriched by precious and semi-precious stones and decorative motives would have included popular myths, gods, goddesses, and heroes. The most common models included many zoomorphic heads, such as bulls’, lions’, goats’ heads and dolphins. Jewellery such as this was crafted for everyday use, instead of being destined exclusively to a funerary purpose. In Ancient Greek and Roman mythology dolphins were associated with the sea and with the sphere of sensual love, bearing an amatory symbolism. Because of the assonance between the ancient Greek word delphis, δελφίς, meaning dolphin, and the word delphus, δελφύς, meaning womb, dolphins were considered animals sacred to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, fertility and desire.
Measurements: (circa) L 2.6cm x W 1.8cm
Closest UK Ring Size: J
Weight: 4.25g
Provenance: Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman's collection, 1980-1990s.
Seller's Story
N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.
ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price.
Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees.
Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images.
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
Circa 1st - 3rd Century AD
Name of object
Ring with Dolphins Supporting Beads
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
1990
Material
Gold
Country acquired from
Unknown
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Previous owner - country acquired from
Unknown
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
