Roman 20K Gold Ring | Beaded Crossing, Possible Herakles Knot

Roman, Imperial period. A petite finger ring of high-purity gold, tested at 83.6 percent (about 20.1 karat). The hoop is made as two parallel ribs. On the front these ribs run with fine beaded rows that meet in a crossing X of tiny pellets. Two rounded, leaf-like panels with their own beaded details sit on either side of the crossing. Toward the back, the hoop tapers into plain, softly rounded bands. The crossing may stand for a knot, perhaps the Herakles knot that Greco-Roman goldsmiths valued as a protective sign, though the reading is uncertain. The warm, rich color of the metal matches the high gold content favored in Roman jewelry. The ring's small hoop suggests it was made for a child, or worn above the knuckle or on the little finger, as was common in Roman fashion. Item # 205336

Estimate:$600

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