An elaborate Bactrian bronze ring featuring a round-section hoop, decorated by continuous horizontal lines. The piece displays two raised circular bezels, which would have originally held precious or semi-precious stones. Earthly encrustations and patination to the surface. Bactria or Bactriana was an ancient country situated between the Hindu Kush and Amu Darya mountains. Its relevance centred around 600 BCE and 600 CE, as it served as a significant meeting place for Western and Eastern trade routes as well as being a central location for religious and artistic ideas. This meant large scale migration and resettlement of communities which resulted in a large circulation of new cultures and languages and an accumulation of vast wealth. Jewellery is such a wealth gained; these collections of rings pose as a suitable example. Measurements: L 2.9cm x W 2cm Internal diameter: 1.8cm; closest UK ring size: P Weight: 5.11g Provenance: Private London collection, ex Parthenon Gallery, 1990-2017.