Code: 10735
This is a nice ancient Roman gold finger ring, dating to the 1st - 3rd century A.D. The band of the ring widens to form a flat oval bezel, decorated with an incised palm leaf design. The design is reminiscent of the emblem of the Dobunni tribe (displayed on gold staters). It is of a well-known type of ring, being recorded from Cornwall (CORN-437A92), West Midlands (WMID-FA1E7A) and Kent (KENT-2224CA). The palm branch on Roman rings was thought to symbolize Victory, to protect the wearer from malign forces. This example is quite small, so likely originally intended for a child to wear. A poignant little finger ring for a serious collector.
OBJECT: Finger Ring
CULTURE: Roman
DATE: c. 1st - 3rd century A.D.
MATERIAL: Gold
RING SIZE: 1/2 (US) A (UK)
SIZE: 11mm x 13 x 5mm (bezel 11mm x 9mm)
WEIGHT: 1.5 gram
PROVENANCE: Ex. private collection, Munich.
