Six Roman to Post-Medieval Copper Alloy Rings
Mediterranean and Europe, Roman, Byzantine, Medieval and Post-Medieval English, ca. 100–1666 CE. A group of six finger rings spanning some fifteen centuries of adornment, four of brass and two of leaded copper alloy. The largest, a medieval example, carries a raised ovoid bezel on a heavy tapering hoop. Beside it sits a Post-Medieval English ring massed with cast florets over reeded shoulders, a form associated with the Great Plague of London. A slender band retains a domed blue glass bezel in its collet, while a small ring bears a chevron-engraved plaque and another a plain circular signet face. The last, a compact hoop with a convex square bezel, belongs to the Roman type traditionally called a "prostitute's" ring. Three of the group are likely Byzantine. Surfaces range from warm brown to green patination. Size of largest: 0.45" H x 0.83" Diam (1.1 cm H x 2.1 cm Diam). The floral ring belongs to a class of cast brass rings recovered in quantity from London sites and long linked in collecting tradition to the Great Plague of 1665 to 1666. Popular accounts hold that such rings were placed on children as prophylactics against contagion, and that numbers of them surfaced in plague pits, a grim demonstration that the amulet failed its wearer. The Roman ring type nicknamed a "prostitute's" ring takes its name from an old numismatic and antiquarian convention rather than any Roman source; the convex square bezels of such rings were more often engraved with a device for sealing, and the label is best treated as collector shorthand. Please note that these rings contain levels of lead and are not recommended for wear. Provenance: private Dayton, Maryland, USA collection; ex-private F. B. collection, Maryland, USA, acquired between 1990 to 2005 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 # 204799
Condition
Indentation to glass bezel. Some bending to bands and weathering throughout. Otherwise, all are intact with rich patinas.
Mediterranean and Europe, Roman, Byzantine, Medieval and Post-Medieval English, ca. 100–1666 CE. A group of six finger rings spanning some fifteen centuries of adornment, four of brass and two of leaded copper alloy. The largest, a medieval example, carries a raised ovoid bezel on a heavy tapering hoop. Beside it sits a Post-Medieval English ring massed with cast florets over reeded shoulders, a form associated with the Great Plague of London. A slender band retains a domed blue glass bezel in its collet, while a small ring bears a chevron-engraved plaque and another a plain circular signet face. The last, a compact hoop with a convex square bezel, belongs to the Roman type traditionally called a "prostitute's" ring. Three of the group are likely Byzantine. Surfaces range from warm brown to green patination. Size of largest: 0.45" H x 0.83" Diam (1.1 cm H x 2.1 cm Diam). The floral ring belongs to a class of cast brass rings recovered in quantity from London sites and long linked in collecting tradition to the Great Plague of 1665 to 1666. Popular accounts hold that such rings were placed on children as prophylactics against contagion, and that numbers of them surfaced in plague pits, a grim demonstration that the amulet failed its wearer. The Roman ring type nicknamed a "prostitute's" ring takes its name from an old numismatic and antiquarian convention rather than any Roman source; the convex square bezels of such rings were more often engraved with a device for sealing, and the label is best treated as collector shorthand. Please note that these rings contain levels of lead and are not recommended for wear. Provenance: private Dayton, Maryland, USA collection; ex-private F. B. collection, Maryland, USA, acquired between 1990 to 2005 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 # 204799
Condition
Indentation to glass bezel. Some bending to bands and weathering throughout. Otherwise, all are intact with rich patinas.
