Ancient Roman bone Ring

05
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Peter Reynaers
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Selected by Peter Reynaers

Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.

Estimate  € 550 - € 650
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Ancient Roman bone ring with the inscription VTERE FELIX, dating to the 2nd–3rd century AD, weighing about 5 g with a 17.4 mm inner diameter, in vintage condition with signs of possible repair.

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Description from the seller

Ancient bone Ring with instructions
V T E R E F E L I X
Bone ring inscribed “VTERE FELIX” (read as UTERE FELIX) — “Use happily” / “Use with good fortune.”
This short formula was among the most common everyday inscriptions in the Roman world, engraved on objects from bottles and spoons to rings, brooches and military equipment. Rings bearing it functioned as gifts, personal talismans or well‑wish tokens. In the later imperial period the traditional luck‑wish was sometimes adapted to Christian use, appearing alongside the Chi‑Rho or a cross. The letter V in inscriptions should be read as classical U; the phrase therefore reflects a widespread popular practice of inscribing everyday
items with brief protective or felicitous messages.
Circa: 2nd-3rd C Ad.
Mesurments:5.73g 17.4mm.

Photos are made with different lights to show more of the colour. All measurements are approximately

Provence acquired the object in 1995
In the London art market
Previous private English collection

*** Postage to the USA and some
countries in Asia, custome ana VAT tax
must be paid before sending the object***

The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. A provenance statement was seen by Catawiki.
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, a provenance statement seen by Catawiki.
Important into.
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.
For shipment between the UK and the EU no export permit is needed but some import taxes may apply. The seller guarantees to have acquired this lot by legal means and he has the proper permits. The seller will inform the buyer about this if acquiring the proper permits and shipping the lot takes more than a few days

Ancient bone Ring with instructions
V T E R E F E L I X
Bone ring inscribed “VTERE FELIX” (read as UTERE FELIX) — “Use happily” / “Use with good fortune.”
This short formula was among the most common everyday inscriptions in the Roman world, engraved on objects from bottles and spoons to rings, brooches and military equipment. Rings bearing it functioned as gifts, personal talismans or well‑wish tokens. In the later imperial period the traditional luck‑wish was sometimes adapted to Christian use, appearing alongside the Chi‑Rho or a cross. The letter V in inscriptions should be read as classical U; the phrase therefore reflects a widespread popular practice of inscribing everyday
items with brief protective or felicitous messages.
Circa: 2nd-3rd C Ad.
Mesurments:5.73g 17.4mm.

Photos are made with different lights to show more of the colour. All measurements are approximately

Provence acquired the object in 1995
In the London art market
Previous private English collection

*** Postage to the USA and some
countries in Asia, custome ana VAT tax
must be paid before sending the object***

The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. A provenance statement was seen by Catawiki.
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, a provenance statement seen by Catawiki.
Important into.
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.
For shipment between the UK and the EU no export permit is needed but some import taxes may apply. The seller guarantees to have acquired this lot by legal means and he has the proper permits. The seller will inform the buyer about this if acquiring the proper permits and shipping the lot takes more than a few days

Details

Era
Before 1400
Culture
Ancient Roman
Metal
bone
Century/timeframe
1st-3rd.CAd.
Acquired from
Private collection
Total weight
5 g
Year acquired
1995
Condition
Vintage - used with signs of possible repair
Country acquired from
United Kingdom
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
Previous owner - country acquired from
United Kingdom
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Sold by
United KingdomVerified
1444
Objects sold
86.11%
Private

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