Roman 23K Gold Ring | Engraved Palm Frond, Victory Symbol
Roman, Imperial period, ca. 100–300 CE. A small finger ring of high-purity gold, tested at about 23 karats. The plain hoop, rounded on the outside, swells at the shoulders into a flattened, lozenge-shaped bezel incised with a single palm frond, its central rib flanked by diagonal strokes for the leaflets. In the Roman world the palm belonged to Victoria and to triumph, and it was given to winning athletes and charioteers. Here it likely served as a wish for good fortune. The very small size suggests the ring was made for a child or a slender finger, or worn on the little finger. Size: 0.2" W x 0.57" Diam (0.5 cm W x 1.4 cm Diam); US ring size 3.5; gold quality: 95.7% (23 karat); weight: 3.8 grams.
The palm (palma) was one of the most widely understood emblems in Roman visual language. Winning gladiators, athletes, and charioteers received a palm branch along with their prize. The goddess Victoria is routinely shown holding one, and the motif appears constantly on imperial coinage. From the third century onward Christians took up the same branch as a sign of the martyr's triumph over death. For that reason a lone palm on a late Roman ring can be read in either a secular or a Christian sense, and the motif by itself does not settle which one.
Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection, acquired by family descent; originally acquired in the 1980s
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #205333
Condition
Some light surface wear, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with good remaining detail and scattered earthen deposits.
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
Roman, Imperial period, ca. 100–300 CE. A small finger ring of high-purity gold, tested at about 23 karats. The plain hoop, rounded on the outside, swells at the shoulders into a flattened, lozenge-shaped bezel incised with a single palm frond, its central rib flanked by diagonal strokes for the leaflets. In the Roman world the palm belonged to Victoria and to triumph, and it was given to winning athletes and charioteers. Here it likely served as a wish for good fortune. The very small size suggests the ring was made for a child or a slender finger, or worn on the little finger. Size: 0.2" W x 0.57" Diam (0.5 cm W x 1.4 cm Diam); US ring size 3.5; gold quality: 95.7% (23 karat); weight: 3.8 grams.
The palm (palma) was one of the most widely understood emblems in Roman visual language. Winning gladiators, athletes, and charioteers received a palm branch along with their prize. The goddess Victoria is routinely shown holding one, and the motif appears constantly on imperial coinage. From the third century onward Christians took up the same branch as a sign of the martyr's triumph over death. For that reason a lone palm on a late Roman ring can be read in either a secular or a Christian sense, and the motif by itself does not settle which one.
Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection, acquired by family descent; originally acquired in the 1980s
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #205333
Condition
Some light surface wear, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with good remaining detail and scattered earthen deposits.
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
