Bronze Signet Ring (1)
Cast as one piece, a crescent moon (or two), a star, and the rays of the sun (?), possibly 3rd c. CE, gift of John Voelker ’82
Bronze Signet Ring (1)
Bronze Signet Ring (1)
Signet impression in blue wax
Bronze Finger Ring (2)
Hoop soldered to bezel, non-identifiable figure (tortoise?), date unknown, gift of John Voelker ’82
Bronze Finger Ring (3)
Hoop soldered to bezel, incised rosette, 3rd-8th c. CE, gift of John Voelker ’82
Roman Rings
1) Bronze finger-ring cast as one piece. Upon the bezel decorative celestial forms have been incised: a crescent moon (or two), a star, and the rays of the sun (?). This is not simply decorative; it was used as a signet ring (see image when pressed in wax [melted a blue candle]). It probably dates to around the 3rd c. CE.
2) Bronze finger-ring with a hoop soldered to a round flat bezel upon which a figure of some sort has been incised. The damage to the bezel is such that the figure is not identifiable (at least to me) (a tortoise?). I have no idea of the date.
3) Bronze finger-ring with a hoop soldered to a round flat bezel upon which a decorative rosette has been incised. A comparable ring in the British Museum is dated from 3rd to 8th c. CE.
The ring with the rosette would sell at auction today for about $30, the ring with the unidentifiable figure for a few dollars, while the ring with the celestial images would sell for considerably more, maybe $100 – $150, since it is heavier, is cast as one piece rather than soldered, and is a signet ring with an interesting design. (Notes by Professor Emeritus Steve Reece, August 2026)