{"product_id":"roman-silver-ring-fidus-3rd-4th-c-ce-engraved-bust","title":"Roman Silver Ring - 'Fidus' (ca. 3rd–4th c. CE) EU 57.5 \/ US 8.25","description":"\u003cp\u003eA Roman silver signet ring named 'Fidus', its oval bezel engraved with a profile portrait, most likely of a young emperor, a mark of loyalty to the ruler. The slender hoop widens without a break into the broad bezel.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Engraving:\u003cbr\u003eThe head is cut in profile, brow and nose in one straight line above a small mouth and a rounded chin. Short curls, rendered as rows of large round pellets, cover the top and back of the head, with pointed leaf sprays and a thin fillet across the brow, and a crescent of drapery closes the bust. On the bezel the head faces right; in wax it would face left. On a ring, a ruler's likeness made plain where its wearer's allegiance lay.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDetails:\u003cbr\u003eEra: Roman\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Silver\u003cbr\u003eRing Size: EU 57.5 \/ US 8.25\u003cbr\u003eWeight: 10 g\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Matte grey silver, finely granular and pitted over hoop and bezel, with brighter metal on the high points; dark deposit in the cuts of the device; short scratches in the field beside the face\u003cbr\u003eProvenance: Private London collection; previously on the Dutch art market in the 1980s.\u003cbr\u003eUnique Identifier: R-642-S\u003cbr\u003eAuthenticity: Comes with certificate of authenticity\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCondition and Authenticity:\u003cbr\u003eThis original comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and our written lifetime authenticity guarantee.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHistorical Context:\u003cbr\u003eThis is a solid silver ring with the device cut straight into the metal of the bezel rather than into a set stone. The hoop is round outside and flatter inside, with no moulding at the shoulders. A device sunk into the metal works as a seal: pressed into wax, it leaves the head in relief, so the ring could sign for its owner. In this period the ruler's image was honoured as if it were the ruler himself, so a portrait carried on the finger kept that presence close to its wearer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEngraved into the silver itself, the profile head let a single ring serve as seal and as portrait.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExplore more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ancient-roman-rings\"\u003eRoman rings\u003c\/a\u003e from our collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64264804237642,"sku":"R-642-S","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/fidus-angled-front-view-of-the-silver-ring-and-its-dark-intaglio-1.jpg?v=1794040634","url":"https:\/\/auroraantiqua.com\/products\/roman-silver-ring-fidus-3rd-4th-c-ce-engraved-bust","provider":"Aurora Antiqua","version":"1.0","type":"link"}