Ancient Roman Bronze finger finger ring - 23 mm

"Ancient Roman Bronze Finger Ring

Culture / Period: Ancient Roman
Date / Period: 1st–2nd century A.D.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: Outer diameter: 23 mm
Condition: Good condition.

No shipping outside the European 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 the European Union before placing a bid.

Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 804
The current owner purchased this object from a reputable Dutch numismatic auction house in Schiedam, the Netherlands. Due to privacy regulations, the name of the previous owner could not be disclosed. No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the object was available from the previous owner.

Background Information:

This bronze finger ring dates to the Roman Imperial period and features a broad polygonal bezel decorated with a simple arrangement of punched dot motifs. The shoulders are accentuated by projecting lateral lugs, creating a distinctive architectural profile characteristic of several Roman ring types from the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D.

Finger rings formed an important part of Roman dress and were worn by both men and women. While some examples served as signet rings or gemstone settings, others, such as this piece, relied on geometric decoration and carefully modelled forms. Punched dot motifs were a common decorative element in Roman metalwork and may also have carried an apotropaic significance, reflecting the widespread Roman belief in protective symbols.

The ring was cast in bronze using established Roman metalworking techniques and subsequently finished by hand. The bezel was decorated with precisely punched circles, while the projecting shoulders demonstrate the craftsmanship of specialised workshops. Comparable rings have been recovered from settlements, military forts, villas, and cemeteries throughout Britain, Gaul, Germania, and other Roman provinces, illustrating the widespread popularity of this form.

Dating to the 1st–2nd century A.D., the ring belongs to the height of the Roman Imperial period, when bronze jewellery was produced on a large scale and distributed through extensive commercial networks. Its robust construction and restrained decoration made it suitable for everyday wear while reflecting established Roman artistic traditions.

This piece provides a direct and tangible connection to the ancient Roman world, where rings of this type formed part of everyday life and demonstrate the enduring quality of Roman bronze craftsmanship."