Roman silver finger ring with stylised palm-branch design

Code: 11088

This is an ancient Roman silver finger ring, dating to the 1st - 3rd century A.D.  Rounded shoulders, flat, oval bezel which is decorated with a crudely incised palm-branch motif. It is of a well-known type of ring, being recorded in silver from East Yorkshire (PAS-483CDA),  Lincolnshire (LIN-0B2D70) and Lancashire (LVPL-3D0871). The palm is emblematic of victory, including over the Evil Eye, and was intended to keep the wearer safe from any harm that threatened her or him. Johns (1996, p.66) notes the use of symbols on finger rings, such as the palm branch, has been interpreted as early Christian but they were also of established pagan significance. This example has survived intact and as excavated with a dark patina (will easily clean up if so desired!).

OBJECT: Finger Ring

CULTURE: Roman

DATE: c. 1st - 3rd century A.D.

MATERIAL: Silver

RING SIZE:    5  (US)   J 1/2 (UK)

SIZE: 18.60mm x 22.12 x 1.99mm (bezel 16.80mm x 8.18mm) 

WEIGHT: 3.39 grams

PROVENANCE: Ex. European Private Collection, Netherlands.