Ancient Roman Bronze Ring with a Stylised Vulva, symbol of Fertility - 18 mm
14
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16
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Current bid
€ 11
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 € 210 - € 250
 | €11 | |
|---|---|---|
| €6 | |
| €5 | |
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Ancient Roman bronze ring with a stylised vulva fertility motif, 2nd–3rd century A.D., 18 mm bezel, authentic Original, in good condition and acquired from a private collection in the Netherlands in 2026.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
"Ancient Roman Bronze Ring with Stylised Fertility Motif
Culture / Period: Ancient Roman
Date / Period: 2nd–3rd century A.D.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 18 mm
Condition: Good condition
No shipping outside theopean Union. Due to complex export regulations concerning cultural goods, this item cannot be shipped outside the EU. Please ensure you have a delivery address within theopean Union before placing a bid.
Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 668
The current owner purchased the Ancient Roman bronze ring with stylised fertility motif from a private collector, N.N.
The previous owner, a private collector, N.N. from the Netherlands, stated that the object had been in his collection since the 1990s.
According to the previous owner, the object had previously been in a private collection in the Netherlands since the 1990s.
No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the object was available from the previous owner.
Background Information:
This cast bronze finger ring features an oval bezel engraved with a stylised vulva motif surrounded by raised circular elements. In the Roman world, representations of the vulva formed part of a broader tradition of fertility and apotropaic symbolism, intended to promote prosperity, safeguard the wearer, and protect against misfortune and the evil eye.
Symbols associated with fertility and generation were deeply embedded in Roman religious and everyday life. Alongside phallic imagery, stylised representations of the vulva appeared on jewellery, amulets, and domestic objects, where they were believed to possess protective as well as life-affirming qualities. Such motifs reflected ancient beliefs in the power of symbolic imagery rather than serving merely as decoration.
The ring was produced by skilled Roman bronze workers using established casting techniques, with the bezel decoration incorporated into the design and refined after casting. Comparable examples have been recovered from settlements, military sites, villas, and urban centres throughout the Roman Empire, demonstrating the widespread use of symbolic jewellery across many provinces."
"Ancient Roman Bronze Ring with Stylised Fertility Motif
Culture / Period: Ancient Roman
Date / Period: 2nd–3rd century A.D.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 18 mm
Condition: Good condition
No shipping outside theopean Union. Due to complex export regulations concerning cultural goods, this item cannot be shipped outside the EU. Please ensure you have a delivery address within theopean Union before placing a bid.
Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 668
The current owner purchased the Ancient Roman bronze ring with stylised fertility motif from a private collector, N.N.
The previous owner, a private collector, N.N. from the Netherlands, stated that the object had been in his collection since the 1990s.
According to the previous owner, the object had previously been in a private collection in the Netherlands since the 1990s.
No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the object was available from the previous owner.
Background Information:
This cast bronze finger ring features an oval bezel engraved with a stylised vulva motif surrounded by raised circular elements. In the Roman world, representations of the vulva formed part of a broader tradition of fertility and apotropaic symbolism, intended to promote prosperity, safeguard the wearer, and protect against misfortune and the evil eye.
Symbols associated with fertility and generation were deeply embedded in Roman religious and everyday life. Alongside phallic imagery, stylised representations of the vulva appeared on jewellery, amulets, and domestic objects, where they were believed to possess protective as well as life-affirming qualities. Such motifs reflected ancient beliefs in the power of symbolic imagery rather than serving merely as decoration.
The ring was produced by skilled Roman bronze workers using established casting techniques, with the bezel decoration incorporated into the design and refined after casting. Comparable examples have been recovered from settlements, military sites, villas, and urban centres throughout the Roman Empire, demonstrating the widespread use of symbolic jewellery across many provinces."
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
2nd - 3rd century A.D.
Name of object
Ring with a Stylised Vulva, symbol of Fertility
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2026
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
18 mm
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
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.
