Romano Celtic Silver Finger Ring Stylized Snakes of Salus

Code: 10465

This is an ancient Romano-Celtic silver finger ring, dating to the 1st - 2nd century A.D. It is of penannular form, decorated with two facing snakeheads. The main shank is plain, with the squared terminals punched with dots, two above and two below. This gives the appearance of snakes head, from whichever direction it is viewed. There are numerous parallels of this type of ring from the Snettisham jeweller's hoard, (Johns, 1997, 36-37 and 100-105, nos243-274).  This genre of finger ring has been classed as a Johns 'Type Bii'. Further examples of the type have been recorded PAS-942FE3 and Suffolk SF-8BEF14. 

The snake during this period was associated with healing, the goddess Salus and Asclepius all have associations with snakes. 

OBJECT: Finger Ring

CULTURE: Roman

DATE: c. 1st - 2nd century A.D.

MATERIAL: Silver

RING SIZE:  5 1/2 (US)  L  (UK)

SIZE: 21mm x 20mm x 3mm

WEIGHT:  3.1 grams

PROVENANCE: Ex. Private Collection, Cambridge.