Details

LOT 0154

Roman 'The Houghton' Gold Filigree Ring

LATER 4TH CENTURY AD

1" (11.01 grams, 25.83mm overall, 20.42x15.04mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)).

A gold finger ring comprising a large ellipsoid bezel and tapering shoulders; the underside with ribbed section and twisted wire borders extending along the whole hoop and continuing along the edges of the bezel; the shoulders each with two sets of opposed S-scrolled filigree appliqués ornamented with granules between and to the centre of each spiral; replaced ellipsoid plaque with central inset panel, reserved with beaded rim and 'clasped-hands' motif.

Provenance

Found while searching with a metal detector in Houghton, near Stockbridge, Hampshire, UK, by Christopher Gladman on 18th April 2019; declared as Treasure under the Treasure Act 1996 with Treasure reference number 2019T407, subsequently disclaimed and returned to the finder after the local museum was found not to be in a position to acquire it; accompanied by copies of various documents pertaining to the find from the Assistant Treasure Registrar at the British Museum, and a copy of the Report to HM Coroner on the find by Dr Simon Maslin, and a copy of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report [SUR-05A704], a copy of an article on the ring published in Treasure Hunting magazine, and a photograph of the ring taken when it was found.

Published

Recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme under reference SUR-05A704. Disclaimed under the Treasure Act, reference number 2019T407.

Literature

Cf. Ruseva-Slokoska, L. Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, item 186.

Footnotes

The motif of clasped hands was interpolated from contemporary parallels on later Roman rings where it is sometimes called iunctio dextrarum 'joining of right hands'. The motif continued in use into the medieval period where it is better known as mane in fede: 'hands [offered] in good faith'. The motif sometimes carries an association of a marriage contract or betrothal, while its wider meaning is confirmation and closure of a pact or contract.

CONDITION