Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Antique Roman Gold Ring

About the Item

Late Roman Ring Roman Empire, 4th century Gold Bezel 11 x 18 x 2 mm.; circumference 49 mm.; weight 5.5 gr.; US size 5; UK size J 1/2 Inspired by functional bronze key rings common in the Empire, the design of this gold Roman ring is purely decorative, unusually incorporating Christian iconography and engraved letters, perhaps the initials of the 4th century owner. Key-type projecting bezel engraved with an “ajouré” Greek cross crowning a flat band and inscribed with the letters LVR; the bezel is bordered on each side by a projecting circular band, thin on the left side, thicker on the right side (right side repaired); the top of the bezel is crenellated; irregular round shank slightly concave where it joins the bezel; in good condition. Literature: For comparisons, see Sarajevo, National Museum of Bosnia-Herzegovina (identical type of ring showing Jupiter and an emperor, found in Yugoslavia; published in Ward, 1981, no. 68); and Trier, Rheinisches Landesmuseum, G.1261 (inscribed key-ring with two animals fighting; published in Yeroulanou, 1999, no. 335). Rings with these peculiar projecting bezels were inspired by key rings, in use from the first century A.D. up to the early medieval period. In this example, the key shape is clearly evoked by the general shape of the bezel as well as by the crenellated top; however, the initials and ornamental cross have replaced any practical function (key rings were thought to be related to engagement and marriage and used to open wedding caskets). Most extant examples of projecting bezel rings present scenes of classicizing content. This type of ring was found anywhere in the late Roman Empire primarily from the second to the fourth century. What makes the present example unusually rare is the combination of the projecting key-type bezel with a Christian iconography and the inclusion of personalizing elements such as the initials.
More From This SellerView All
  • Antique Gold Roman Intaglio Ring
    Located in Chicago, IL
    Roman Ring with Intaglio of Mars Roman, 4th century AD, intaglio 3rd century AD Gold, nicolo Weight: 15.3 gr.; Circumference: 49.32 mm.; US size 5; UK size J ½ This deceptively heavy gold ring...
    Category

    Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Band Rings

    Materials

    Onyx, Gold

  • Gold Renaissance Ring with Roman Agate Intaglio Depicting a Horse
    Located in Chicago, IL
    Renaissance ring with Roman horse intaglio Ring: Western Europe, c. 1580-90, Roman intaglio: 1st century AD Gold, champlevé enamel, nicolo agate Weight 5.2 gr.; Circumference 57.15 mm.; US size 8; UK size Q In the Renaissance period, ancient cameos and intaglios were highly sought-after collectors’ items. Wealthy owners had them incorporated into signet rings, and in this case, an exceptional and rare ring with sophisticated enameling. The Roman intaglio reflects the spirit of Humanism during the Renaissance, when there was a revived interest in Classical literature and the arts. The horse motif was most likely the personal choice of the wearer or giver of this ring who would have been familiar with its meaning in Classical Antiquity as a symbol of wealth and power. In Ancient Greece images of horses denoted aristocratic status, were symbolic of heroism and the all-important cavalry. A grazing horse as seen here may have represented a favored racehorse. Description: Gold ring with D-section hoop widening towards the oval bezel, plain on the interior and on the exterior the shoulder is decorated in gold against black enamel with symmetrical foliate and floral motifs. The frieze-like decoration continues along the sides of the facetted bezel with dots, dashes and scrollwork, a triangular form with acanthus foliage and fine gold framing line along the base of the bezel with raised mount and fluted collet for a nicolo-agate intaglio. Carved into the bluish grey on brown surface is a grazing horse seen in profile, head bent low. On the underside of the bezel is an elaborate cross motif with scrolls in black enamel against gold. Minor loss of enamel in some areas, through age and wear. The ring is in good wearable condition. Literature: Similar elaborately enameled signet rings set with ancient intaglios or Imperial laureate heads can be found in the British Museum, London (Dalton 1912, no. 308); Tarnóczy Collection; Hanns-Ulrich Haedeke Collection. The highly embellished enameling along the hoop and bezel of this exceptional and rare ring is reminiscent of the ornamental prints...
    Category

    Antique 16th Century European Renaissance Signet Rings

    Materials

    Agate, Gold, Enamel

  • Antique Renaissance Gold Fede Ring
    Located in Chicago, IL
    Fede ring Western Europe, 16th - 17th century Gold Weight 3.8 gr; Circumference 61.64 mm; US size 9 3/4; UK Size T ¼ A delightful, sculpturesque Fede ring conveying love and loyalty Plain gold hoop...
    Category

    Antique 16th Century European Renaissance Engagement Rings

    Materials

    Gold, Yellow Gold

  • Antique Gold English "Posy" Band Ring
    Located in Chicago, IL
    Gold Ring, "Franciscus South miles" England, 17th century Gold, traces of enamel Weight 3.3 gr.; circumference 50.58; US size 5.5; UK size L Gold band with D-section on the exterior of the hoop engraved with flowers (forget-me-nots, carnations, and daisies). The ring was originally enameled, and traces of black enamel remain. Inside the hoop engraved in italic script "Franciscus South miles" (Franciscus South, knight). Also inside the hoop is a punch in shield form with a capital letter “S." probably a maker’s mark, which remains unidentified. The ring is in good wearable condition. From the Middle Ages onwards rings bearing a motto or inscription with personal message became ever more popular. Plain gold bands...
    Category

    Antique 17th Century English Band Rings

    Materials

    Gold, Yellow Gold

  • Antique Gold English "Posy" Band Ring
    Located in Chicago, IL
    POSY RING “I HAVE OBTAINED WHOME GOD ORDAIND” England, 17th century Gold Circumference 58 mm.; weight 7.9 gr.; US size 8/8 ½ ; UK size Q ½ The plain hoop, flat on the interior and r...
    Category

    Antique 17th Century English Band Rings

    Materials

    Gold, Yellow Gold

  • Antique Gold English "Posy" Band Ring
    Located in Chicago, IL
    Posy Ring, “No riches to content” England, 18th century Gold Weight 2.8 gr.; circumference 60.98; US size 9.5, UK size S ¾ Gold band with D-section, plain on the exterior and on the interior are probably the initials of the giver “DMI” in capital letters and dotted lines (or a cryptic message in abbreviation), and the engraved inscription in italics “No riches to content.” The ring is in good wearable condition. The maker’s mark in a crowned rectangular punch has the initials “DC” in capital letters may tentatively be identified with the London based goldsmiths Daniel Charter (registered in 1740), see: Arthur G...
    Category

    Antique 18th Century English Band Rings

    Materials

    Gold, Yellow Gold

You May Also Like
  • Sacchi Antique Roman Coin Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold
    By Sacchi Gioielli
    Located in Rome, IT
    Antique Roman Coin Satin Yellow Gold Ring, from Sacchi’s "Rome" Collection, hand-crafted with lost-wax casting technique. Lost-wax casting, one of ...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Band Rings

    Materials

    18k Gold, Yellow Gold

  • Rare 18K Gold Vintage Ring with Antique Roman Coin
    Located in Geneva, CH
    Elevate your collection with this distinguished vintage signet ring, featuring a genuine Roman coin. Framed in sumptuous 18K gold and flanked by two lust...
    Category

    Vintage 1970s Signet Rings

    Materials

    Emerald, 18k Gold

  • Antique 22 Karat Yellow Gold Hardstone Agate Cameo Roman Emperor Ring
    Located in New York, NY
    A large carved agate cameo ring depicting the Roman emperor Vespasian (9 - 79 AD). The high carat gold mounting is late 19th Century. The cameo is Italian, early 18th century. The...
    Category

    Antique 18th Century Italian Classical Roman Signet Rings

    Materials

    Agate, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold

  • Roman Onyx Intaglio and Yellow Gold Ring
    Located in London, GB
    A Roman onyx intaglio and yellow gold ring, the oval- shaped onyx measuring approximately 11 x 8.5 mm, depicting Dionysus leaning on a column and holding a kantharos, carved in 1st-2nd century AD, rub-over set in later yellow gold mount, testing as 20ct gold, circa 1830, head measuring 1.8x1.5cm, gross weight 11.6 grams. Finger size K 1/2 This exquisite antique intaglio ring...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century Italian Romantic Signet Rings

    Materials

    Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

  • Ancient Roman Amethyst Intaglio Gold Ring
    Located in Chicago, IL
    Roman, circa 2nd – 1st centuries BC A museum quality, finely modeled, high carat (approximately 22.5K), hollow gold signet ring is set with an oval amethyst intaglio...
    Category

    Antique 15th Century and Earlier Signet Rings

    Materials

    Amethyst, Gold

  • Ancient Roman Garnet Intaglio Gold Ring
    Located in Chicago, IL
    A museum quality ancient Roman gold ring, circa 400 AD. This hollow ring is bezel-set with a garnet intaglio of Hippocamp – a fish-tailed horse that w...
    Category

    Antique 15th Century and Earlier Signet Rings

Recently Viewed

View All