Ancient Roman Bronze Ring (No reserve price)
07
days
10
hours
28
minutes
55
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
No reserve price
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Bronze Roman ring dating to the 1st–3rd century A.D., in good condition, measuring 16 mm by 14 mm, acquired in 2025 from a German private collection and with original/authentic status plus a Certificate of Authenticity and export license.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
ITEM: Ring
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 16 mm x 14 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, acquired between 1980 - 1990
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license
Finger rings were among the most intimate, widespread, and expressive personal adornments in the ancient Roman world, worn by men and women across nearly all levels of society. Crafted from gold, silver, bronze, iron, and occasionally carved glass or jet, these personal ornaments served functions that extended far beyond simple jewelry. Under the Roman Republic and Empire, rings were strictly regulated social markers; for instance, the ius annuli aurei ("right of the gold ring") was a legal privilege originally restricted to senators and magistrates, later expanded to the equestrian class (equites) to publicly signify elite status and citizen rank.
The most characteristic feature of high-status Roman rings was the central bezel, which frequently held a carved gemstone known as an intaglio. Gem engravers utilized specialized bow drills and abrasive powders to carve intricate reverse-relief motifs into gemstones such as carnelian, jasper, chalcedony, onyx, and garnet. These intaglios performed a crucial administrative function as signet rings: when pressed into soft wax or clay (bulla), the negative carving produced a raised seal used to authenticate legal documents, secure private correspondence, and lock domestic storerooms against theft.
Beyond legal administrative utility and displays of social hierarchy, the imagery carved onto Roman ring stones provides a rich look into personal beliefs and individual identity. Intaglios featured a vast array of subjects, including patron deities like Minerva or Mercury, portrait busts of emperors or family ancestors, zodiac signs, military standards, and apotropaic symbols designed to ward off the evil eye. Surviving Roman rings—whether heavy gold equestrian signets or modest bronze bands with weathered patinas—remain remarkable cross-sections of ancient metallurgy, glyptic art, and daily Roman social life.
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateITEM: Ring
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 16 mm x 14 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, acquired between 1980 - 1990
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license
Finger rings were among the most intimate, widespread, and expressive personal adornments in the ancient Roman world, worn by men and women across nearly all levels of society. Crafted from gold, silver, bronze, iron, and occasionally carved glass or jet, these personal ornaments served functions that extended far beyond simple jewelry. Under the Roman Republic and Empire, rings were strictly regulated social markers; for instance, the ius annuli aurei ("right of the gold ring") was a legal privilege originally restricted to senators and magistrates, later expanded to the equestrian class (equites) to publicly signify elite status and citizen rank.
The most characteristic feature of high-status Roman rings was the central bezel, which frequently held a carved gemstone known as an intaglio. Gem engravers utilized specialized bow drills and abrasive powders to carve intricate reverse-relief motifs into gemstones such as carnelian, jasper, chalcedony, onyx, and garnet. These intaglios performed a crucial administrative function as signet rings: when pressed into soft wax or clay (bulla), the negative carving produced a raised seal used to authenticate legal documents, secure private correspondence, and lock domestic storerooms against theft.
Beyond legal administrative utility and displays of social hierarchy, the imagery carved onto Roman ring stones provides a rich look into personal beliefs and individual identity. Intaglios featured a vast array of subjects, including patron deities like Minerva or Mercury, portrait busts of emperors or family ancestors, zodiac signs, military standards, and apotropaic symbols designed to ward off the evil eye. Surviving Roman rings—whether heavy gold equestrian signets or modest bronze bands with weathered patinas—remain remarkable cross-sections of ancient metallurgy, glyptic art, and daily Roman social life.
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
1st - 3rd Century A.D
Name of object
Ring
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
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.
