Shop→All Ancient Rings→Late Roman Bronze Ring 'Arelia' (4th-6th c. CE) EU 51/US 5.75
RomanBronzeUncommonEU 51

Late Roman Bronze Ring 'Arelia' (4th-6th c. CE) EU 51/US 5.75

Sold
€175,00
EUR · incl. EU VAT

Visible traces of centuries of human history. Authenticity guaranteed for life.

  • One-of-one. No restock, no replica.
  • Authenticated against published typologies.
  • Lifetime authenticity guarantee in writing.
  • Free insured shipping within the EU. Dispatched in 1 to 3 business days, DHL Express delivery in 2 to 4 business days. 30-day returns.

Piece details

Material
Bronze
Rarity
Uncommon
Ring size
EU 51  /  US 5.75Size guide
Authenticity
Lifetime guarantee

Questions about this piece? info@auroraantiqua.com

Hand · daylight
Wearability & care

Yes, you can wear it.

All Aurora rings are sturdy enough to wear. Like any piece of jewellery they pick up small scratches, so wearing is at your own risk. If you want to keep a piece exactly as it is, we advise against daily wear.

Avoid prolonged water exposure. A detailed care guide ships with every order.

Care guide included · Lifetime support
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  • Card data never stored on our servers
  • Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay supported
  • Free insured shipping within the EU
  • EU 2–4 days · outside the EU a flat €95 incl. export licence, about 3 weeks before dispatch
  • Import duties and taxes outside the EU are not included
  • Ships in a linen-wrapped wooden box
  • 30 days from delivery
  • Return at your own shipping
  • Refund once the item arrives back with us
  • Written lifetime guarantee with every piece
  • Full refund if ever shown to be inauthentic
  • No expiry · for the original buyer and any inheritor
5.0 ★★★★★
66 reviews on Etsy
Read all reviews →
About this piece Bronze · Roman · Uncommon · 4th-6th c. CE · EU 51.0 · All Ancient Rings

This authentic Late Roman bronze ring, named 'Arelia,' hails from the 4th-6th century CE, a period of cultural transition between the Roman Empire and the Byzantine era. Featuring a striking engraved grid with dotted motifs, it represents the refined simplicity of Roman craftsmanship and its enduring elegance.

Details:

Era: Late Roman to Early Byzantine Period, 4th-6th Century CE
Material: Bronze
Ring Size: EU 51 / US 5.75
Condition: Original patina with visible historical wear, highlighting its authenticity
Provenance: Private family collection assembled in the 1960s, later inherited by the previous owner (K.V.D., Belgium).
Unique Identifier: R-R-33-B

Restoration and Authenticity: 
This piece is preserved in its untouched state, showing natural aging and patina from centuries of burial and wear. For those who prefer a refreshed look, a professional restoration service is available, reviving original detail while respecting historical integrity.

If you’d like to book a restoration, simply add the restoration option along with your order or book it as the additional product in my shop.

A Certificate of Authenticity is included.

Historical Context:
During the Late Roman and Early Byzantine periods, rings like 'Arelia' were often worn as personal adornments or symbols of identity. The geometric grid design with dotted motifs was not only decorative but also carried symbolic meaning, possibly representing unity or protection.

Why This Piece?
'Arelia' is a rare find for collectors and enthusiasts of Roman history. Its timeless design makes it a wearable artifact that bridges the ancient and modern worlds, offering a glimpse into the artistry of a bygone era.

Authentication

How do I know it's real?

Jakob, who runs Aurora, examines each piece himself before it is listed. He looks at four things:

Illustrative surface texture
i.

Metal and surface

The metal and its ageing, the surface patina and any burial deposits.

ii.

Wear

Whether the wear is consistent with genuine use.

iii.

Manufacture

Whether the manufacturing marks belong to the period.

iv.

Style and type

Whether the stylistic details fit known types.

Every piece ships with its certificate of authenticity in the box and a written lifetime authenticity guarantee.

Reference works and collections
Published catalogues and museum collections provide context for historical comparison. Specific parallels belong with the individual attribution.
Museum
The British Museum
Museum
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Museum
Victoria & Albert, London
Museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Museum
The Getty, Los Angeles
Museum
Musée du Louvre, Paris
Database
OCRE — American Numismatic Society
Database
Beazley Archive, Oxford
Publication
Henig, Roman Engraved Gemstones
Publication
Marshall, Catalogue of Finger Rings (BM)
Publication
Dalton, Catalogue of Early Christian Antiquities
Publication
Roman Imperial Coinage (RIC)
For the careful buyer

How Aurora compares.

A side-by-side look at how an Aurora piece is sold, versus the two most common alternatives.

AuroraAuction houseseBayOther platforms
Lifetime authenticity guarantee✓depends✗rarely
Documented provenance✓sometimesrarelysometimes
Returns30 daysno returnsno returnsno returns
Free insured EU shipping✓add-onadd-onadd-on
Linen-wrapped wooden gift box✓✗✗✗
Written certificate, signed✓depends✗depends
Customer service answered personally by the owner✓daysvariesvaries
Customer stories

What it feels like to wear something this old.

★★★★★

This is one of my favorite stores on Etsy, anywhere for that matter. This ring is spectacular, an exceptional example of the type in use during the Roman Empire and an amazing piece of history. The packaging the ring was delivered in was beautiful and appropriate to the piece and speaks to the care and attention to detail that owner invests in his work. The inventory at Aurora Antiqua is second-to-none and the customer service from the store owner is just world class. My highest recommendation!

Verified buyer · Etsy
★★★★★

Jakob is amazing! He was communicative about shipping and sent the certificate of authentication. The piece is absolutely beautiful and I could tell he spent time, energy, and love refurbishing the ring. I bought this for my mom for Christmas and she is going to love it as much as me.

Verified buyer · Etsy
★★★★★

I bought this piece for my son and had this shop restore it. It looks perfect! And fits great! The restoration is thorough while still preserving the antique look. And I received my piece in about 2 weeks (from Brussels to Texas). Thankful for the frequent communication also. Highly recommend this shop!

Verified buyer · Etsy
★★★★★

This ring is so stunning & unique! I love wearing a piece of history! Jakob is lovely & very communicative. I highly recommend this shop if you’re looking for a gorgeous piece of history!

Verified buyer · Etsy
★★★★★

Transaction exceeded my expectations. Excellent customer service, fast shipping and beautiful ring.

Verified buyer · Etsy
Frequently asked

Questions, honestly answered.

Is this ring really ancient?

Yes. Jakob, who runs Aurora, examines each piece himself before it is listed. The proposed date and the evidence for the individual attribution are given in the listing. The date stated on the certificate is binding: if a piece is ever shown not to be of the period stated, we refund the full purchase price. Forever, no expiry.

How is it authenticated?

Jakob, who runs Aurora, examines each piece himself before it is listed. He looks at the metal and its surface, wear, manufacture, style and type. The certificate of authenticity ships in the box, backed by our lifetime authenticity guarantee.

Can I wear it daily?

Yes, at your own risk. Aurora rings are sturdy enough to wear, but like any piece of jewellery they pick up small scratches; if you want to keep a piece exactly as it is, we advise against daily wear. Avoid prolonged water exposure (showers, sea, pools) and any harsh cleaning. The patina is part of the object's history; please don't polish it. A care guide ships with every order.

What if it doesn't fit my finger?

Ancient rings cannot be resized without compromising the original metal. Three options: return within 30 days for a full refund; wear it on a chain (we can recommend a goldsmith for a sympathetic mount); or keep it as a display object. Many Aurora pieces are lived with rather than worn every day.

What's the return process?

30 days from delivery. Pieces restored on commission after purchase are excluded, as the restoration alters them permanently. The piece must return in the condition it arrived, in its original packaging. Return shipping is at the buyer's cost; we send a tracked, insured label and quote it first. Full refund within 3 business days of arrival back to us.

How is it shipped?

Fully insured, tracked, signature on delivery, in a linen-wrapped wooden box with the certificate and care guide. EU dispatch within 1–3 business days. EU delivery: 2–4 business days after dispatch. Outside the EU, a flat €95 per order covers the official export licence, which adds about 3 weeks before dispatch; transit itself is 2–5 business days by insured express courier. Import duties and taxes outside the EU are not included. We confirm your personal timeline by email within 24 hours of ordering.

Where do Aurora rings come from?

The provenance line in each listing gives the piece's history as far as it is recorded. Some pieces have a longer chain of earlier owners; for others the record begins with a recent sale. Read the information for the individual piece and ask us about its records before buying.

What does the lifetime guarantee cover?

A written promise that if the piece is ever shown to be inauthentic or not of the stated period, we refund the full purchase price. No expiry. The guarantee applies to the original buyer and any subsequent inheritor of the piece.