Ancient Roman Bronze Ring with Ring-and-dot motif - 20 mm (No reserve price)

"Ancient Roman Bronze Ring with Ring-and-Dot Motif

Culture / Period: Ancient Roman
Date / Period: 1st–2nd century A.D.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 20 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: 669

The current owner purchased the Ancient Roman bronze ring with ring-and-dot 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 a distinctive quatrefoil bezel decorated with four prominent ring-and-dot motifs. This decorative pattern was among the most recognisable geometric ornaments in Roman metalwork and was widely employed on finger rings, brooches, belt fittings, horse harnesses, military equipment, and domestic objects throughout the Empire.

Bronze finger rings such as this were worn by men and women across all levels of Roman society. While some examples carried engraved gemstones or inscriptions, others relied on moulded geometric decoration to achieve an attractive appearance. The ring-and-dot motif, with its balanced circular composition, exemplifies the Roman preference for clear, symmetrical ornament executed with precision.

The ring was cast in bronze using established Roman metalworking techniques, with the raised decoration formed directly in the mould. Comparable examples have been recovered from settlements, military forts, villas, and urban centres across the Roman Empire. Such jewellery was traded across large distances, reaching regions such as present-day Germany, France, Britain, and the Netherlands.