Roman, Imperial to Early Byzantine Period, ca. 1st to 6th century CE. A fabulous ensemble of 17 ancient rings - 7 brass, 6 leaded bronzes, 1 bronze, 1 leaded brass, 1 copper alloy, and 1 blue green glass - all exhibiting tubular or ribbon-form bands. Known as a fede ring, the first ring is in the form of 2 hands holding one another. Two more rings boast glass inlays: 1 with a red intaglio of the Roman goddess Diana or Greek goddess Artemis and the other with an orb-like, sky blue inlay. A fourth ring showcases an amethyst bezel, presenting a rich hue of purple. Alternatively, 10 rings feature circular or ovoid bezels on one side: 4 concave, 4 flat, and 2 convex. One of the rings with a convex bezel has been skillfully incised with a stylized crisscross motif. The fifteenth ring is the only one with terminals, showing a facetted head on one end as the band tapers to a point on the other. Last, the remaining 2 rings both exhibit tubular forms with no bezels or inlays. Size of largest (ring with terminals): 1.1" L x 0.2" W (2.8 cm x 0.5 cm); ring size of largest: 10

Provenance: ex-Davis collection, Houston, Texas, USA; ex-private Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA collection

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#138799

All are wearable. Losses to inlays or bezels of 5 rings. One with flat bezel has some chips to peripheries. Light bending, abrasions, and softening of incised detail to most. Otherwise, all are very nice with rich patina.