There were two classes of Romans who wore "The Gold Band", those of the Senatorial class (the Nobles) and those of the Equestrian class (the Roman Knights or lesser Nobles). So it can assumed that the Optio had also received these awards at that time, or earlier on. There is also an image of a bare headed legionary wearing torcs, armilla, and a large phalera. The Corona Civica was the highest Roman award for individual bravery, it was awarded to Romans only for saving the life of a fellow Roman in action, that is while taking and holding that specific ground until the completion of the battle. The images are precise, so it can be speculated that it was policy at least under Sulla that the gold band ring was awarded along with the coveted Corona Civica award. This hints that the gold band ring of the aristocrats may have replaced the iron band ring (if there ever was such a thing) of the same under Sulla. There is also new information with the inscriptions and art on the inside of the ring, as there has not yet been an attempt to photograph these, then there are currently no pictures with this information: It specifically shows that the original owner of this ring had been an Optio Centurionis (a second to a Centurion) when he received this gold band ring along with the Corona Civica (Civic Crown) during the dictatorship of Sulla. It may have been lightly engraved as to have the wreath motif known only to the wearer, at any rate it will not appear when photographed. Around the entire ring there are light engravings of a wreath with various figures intertwined, it is extremely worn. There is new information on the outside of the ring. Provenance: Acquired Ariadne Gallery, New York after 1989, thereafter in a private FL collection.Origin: An Antiquities Dealer from New York A very fine and rare example.ĭimensions: US ring size 5 1/2 (UK=L, DE=16, CH=11 3/4) 145-152.Ĭondition: Intact and in excellent condition overall. Almost all cast objects required polishing on their edges and interiors to smooth the imperfections caused by the manufacturing process the exteriors usually did not require further polishing because the heat of the annealing furnace would create a shiny, "fire-polished" surface.įor related examples of such intaglios see: Marshall, FH Catalogue of the Finger Rings Greek, Etruscan & Roman in the Department of Antiquities, British Museum (London, 1907) pl.12, no.396 and Spier, Jeffrey " Ancient Gems and Finger Rings, Catalogue of the Collections, The J. These were placed together to form a flat circle, heated until they fused, and the resulting disk was then sagged over or into a mold to give the object its shape. Multicolored canes of mosaic glass were created, then stretched to shrink the patterns and either cut across into small, circular pieces or lengthwise into strips. Mosaic glass objects were manufactured using a laborious and time-consuming technique. The interior of the shank is inscribed: c1989 Ariadne 22KT, Tim Koheki 1-29. Cast in rich 22K gold, the oval bezel joins a separately made hoop inlaid with braided wire filigree of platinum and gold, of a style typical of Roman rings during the late Byzantine period. This superb intaglio was set as a ring in 1989 and is itself a striking example of wearable art. On its surface, a horse and mounted warrior have been carved in great detail the bearded warrior is fully armed - wearing a large crested helmet, breastplate, a great shield on his back, he holds the reigns of his horse in his left hand. This beautiful intaglio is carved in a piece of bright blue and green striped mosaic glass, formed by laminating individual pieces in separate colors under great heat which causes them to fuse together.
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