Ancient Roman Silver Betrothal or Marriage Ring with Facing Busts
Starting bid
€ 1
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Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 550 - € 700
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Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Beautiful Roman solid silver betrothal seal ring with a silver intaglio with two facing busts. The finely cut design depicts a male and female figure in profile, facing one another, with carefully rendered hairstyles and drapery. The ringband is twisted giving the ring even more eye appeal.
-> The intimate paired portrait suggests a representation of a couple, possibly symbolising marriage, partnership or familial bond. Intaglio engraving allowed the image to appear in relief when impressed into wax, enabling the ring to function as a personal seal.
Outside diameter: ± 26,4 mm
Inside diameter: ± 18 - 21,5 mm
Bezel: ± 10,9 mm
Condition: good, solid and wearable condition, restored. High quality engravings. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Double-portrait rings were popular in the Roman world and could commemorate spouses, family members or even idealised figures representing harmony and unity. Such imagery reflects the importance of family identity and personal relationships within Roman society.
-> Signet rings served both decorative and practical purposes, acting as markers of status and personal identity while also functioning as seals for documents and correspondence.
Catawiki disclaimer:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Beautiful Roman solid silver betrothal seal ring with a silver intaglio with two facing busts. The finely cut design depicts a male and female figure in profile, facing one another, with carefully rendered hairstyles and drapery. The ringband is twisted giving the ring even more eye appeal.
-> The intimate paired portrait suggests a representation of a couple, possibly symbolising marriage, partnership or familial bond. Intaglio engraving allowed the image to appear in relief when impressed into wax, enabling the ring to function as a personal seal.
Outside diameter: ± 26,4 mm
Inside diameter: ± 18 - 21,5 mm
Bezel: ± 10,9 mm
Condition: good, solid and wearable condition, restored. High quality engravings. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Double-portrait rings were popular in the Roman world and could commemorate spouses, family members or even idealised figures representing harmony and unity. Such imagery reflects the importance of family identity and personal relationships within Roman society.
-> Signet rings served both decorative and practical purposes, acting as markers of status and personal identity while also functioning as seals for documents and correspondence.
Catawiki disclaimer:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
3rd - 4th century AD
Name of object
Betrothal or Marriage Ring with Facing Busts
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2024
Material
Silver
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2024
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
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.
