Description:

Rome, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A beautiful ring, hammered from a single sheet of gold and incised with the Latin inscription "VTERE FELIX," which translates to "use with luck." The gorgeous adornment boasts a minimalist form of a slender, multi-faceted band. Though appearing petite and perhaps made for a child to the modern wearer, this ring could also have been worn by a male or female adult due to the prevalence of wearing rings on the tip of one's finger or little finger throughout ancient Rome - as evident via observations on votive and funerary statues, as well as reported in Roman literary sources. "VTERE FELIX" rings were quite popular throughout the empire and have been discovered in military contexts - as a way to wish one success in battle - and at burial sites - perhaps to grant one good fortune in the afterlife. Size (of ring): 0.5" in diameter (1.3 cm); Size (of band): 0.15" W (0.4 cm); Gold quality: 87% (equivalent to over 20 karats); Weight: 1.1 grams

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

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PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#142712

  • Condition: Wearable as a little finger or child's ring. Slight bending to band but form still clear. Light softening of detail on inscription, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent.

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October 21, 2021 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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