Roman Copper Key Ring & Leaded Bronze Ring

拍品描述

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1–300 CE. A pair of ancient Roman finger rings preserving contrasting patinas, one deep green and earthen, the other a smooth gray-brown. The more petite example, cast in copper alloy, carries a rectangular bezel worked with a row of raised vertical ribs projecting from the shoulder: the ward of a key, made to be worn on the hand so that lift-lock or tumbler could never be parted from its owner. Such rings opened strongboxes, cupboards, and jewel caskets, and doubled as a public sign that the wearer had property worth locking. Its companion is the larger of the two, a leaded bronze hoop of even section and unadorned surface, the plainest and most enduring form of Roman personal ornament. Together they set utility and adornment side by side in the everyday register of Imperial metalwork. Size of larger: 0.2" H x 1.13" Diam (0.5 cm H x 2.9 cm Diam); Size of smaller: 0.47" H x 1" Diam (1.2 cm H x 2.5 cm Diam). Roman key rings (anuli clavicularii) appear across the Empire from the 1st century CE onward, a direct consequence of a household economy in which valuables lived behind lift-locks and tumbler locks rather than in banks. Ancient authors treat the ring-key as shorthand for the householder's authority: the master of the house carried the means of access on his hand, and the freedman or steward entrusted with one wore a visible promotion. Most surviving examples are copper alloy rather than iron, which corrodes badly, so the copper-alloy survivors are disproportionately represented in collections today. Please note that the larger ring contains up to 11% lead and is not recommended for wear. SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700. PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception. Item #204613

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