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Details
LOT 0156
Roman Gold 'Talismanic' Ring with Inscriptions
3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (3.80 grams, 18.19 mm overall, 14.94 mm internal diameter (approximate size British F, USA 2 3/4, Europe 3.67, Japan 3)).
Comprising chamfered sloped shoulders and ellipsoid bezel; engraved with later blundered Latin legends in capitals: left shoulder - ‘REBET ?IA SESTE’ (It is rebated), bezel - ‘VIVAS CVM CAECI’ (Live with Caecus), right shoulder - ‘CAFELIX ET CVM RTIO’ (Safe and comfortable).
Provenance
Private collection, Europe.
Acquired on the English art market.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13044-248372.
Literature
Cf. similar example in Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 319, for type.
Footnotes
The ring is extensively engraved with the following Latin words and approximate translations: Left shoulder - ‘REBET ?IA SESTE’ - It is rebated. Bezel - ‘VIVAS CVM CAECI’ - Live with Caecus. Right shoulder - ‘CAFELIX ET CVM RTIO’ - Safe and comfortable. The Latin expression can be understood as part of a personal protective message.
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