Ancient Roman gold finger ring keeled type with early Christian ChiRho

Code: 12083

This is an ancient Roman gold finger ring of a keeled type, dating to the 3rd - 4th century A.D. The ring bears a raised round bezel, engraved with an early Christian Chi-Rho symbol. The finger ring can be categorized as Henig's (1978) Type VIII, dating from the late third century AD. The finger ring is keeled in profile with decorated shoulders. A similar 'keeled' type ring with an intaglio from the Vale of the White Horse is discussed BERK-B279D7. This ring is heavily worn and bears an old repair to the lower edge and displays at least one resizing in the past with a cut to the hoop. Rare to find early Christian rings in gold, the small size would suggest it was worn on the little finger or on a joint as was the custom.

OBJECT: Finger Ring

CULTURE: Roman

DATE: c. 3rd - 4th century AD

MATERIAL: Gold

RING SIZE:    5   (US)       J 1/2   (UK)

SIZE: 17.01mm x 19mm x 2.3mm (bezel 7.7mm x 1.5mm)

WEIGHT:  2.71 grams

PROVENANCE: Formerly in a European private collection, Luxembourg.