Description:

Egypt, Coptic culture, ca. 3rd to 5th century CE. A petite thumb ring carved from cow or ox bone used to aid an archer in repeatedly loosing arrows from a bow without damaging the skin on his or her finger. The ovoid shank bears a pair of incised grooves around the periphery that continue onto the front face where they enclose a tall crucifix as well as a pair of projecting wheat stalks. Above the larger crucifix is a protruding tab - used to retain the bow string once pulled back - that features a second, smaller crucifix. Rings like this were invaluable to ancient archers as they mitigated the stress on the archer's fingers. Rich caramel-hued patina covers the entire ring. Size: 1.25" L x 0.75" W (3.2 cm x 1.9 cm); US size 4.5.

Provenance: ex-estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, acquired before 2000

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#158718

  • Condition: Wearable as shown but may fit irregularly due to ovoid form of shank. Very light abrasions to shank and tab, otherwise intact and very good. Great patina throughout.

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September 22, 2020 10:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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