They were also worn for purely decorative purposes and were often large and ornate. Signet rings were used to seal official documents, with gemstone intaglios frequently engraved with the wearer’s portrait. Diana Scarisbrick notes that the wealth of Rome attracted the best and most skilled artists to engrave and set gems. Perhaps the ring style most associated with the Romans was the signet ring. Another motif used for betrothal rings was the marriage knot or knot of Hercules, a simple and symbolic design of two intertwined ropes that is probably the origin of the phrase “tying the knot.” According to ancient texts, the betrothal ring was worn on the fourth finger of the left hand in the belief that this finger had a vein, the vena amoris that flowed directly to the heart. ![]() In Roman symbolism, the right hand was considered sacred to Fides, the deity of fidelity – the motif reappears in the Middle Ages as the fede ring. Roman wedding rings often featured the image of two right hands clasped in symbolic representation of marriage and fidelity called dextrarum iunctio in Latin. So ubiquitous an item, rings of all periods have survived providing valuable historical insight into various cultures and as a timeline of major design themes and materials in jewelry history. Rings have also been used as symbolic expressions of faith or as tangible evidence of power and wealth. They have served to memorialize a friendship, honor the dead and as talismans to provide protection against the forces of evil. Rings have been used to pledge one heart to another, to seal correspondences and authenticate documents. In addition to satisfying purely decorative needs, rings have served a multitude of purposes, both practical and symbolic. In existence for over six thousand years, rings appear in almost every culture of the world. Affection and friendship have wrought it into a remembrance and it has passed into the grave upon the finger of a loved one. Love has placed it where a vein was supposed to vibrate in the heart. It is made the symbol of power and has been the mark of slavery. An impression from it may have saved a or lost a kingdom. It is indeed, a small link, although it has bound together millions for better for worse, for richer for poorer, more securely than could the shackle wrought for a felon. Truly Ancient.This little perfect figure may seem to be a trifling matter on which to found an essay and yet we shall find it connected with history and poetry. The surfaces of these artifacts are over 1,500 years old, so you can see their journey through some wear. This is a limited collection, each intaglio unique. Each piece from this collection is hand crafted from start to finish in our in house studio by one of our talented gold smiths. The fob pendants are held in bezels of recycled 18k yellow gold and suspended from rings so that they will slide onto the chain or charm hook of your choosing. I hope you love this small, limited collection of rings and fob pendants we designed in-house, using the Ancient Intaglios as the focal point. These become one of the most coveted treasures of the ancient world. The intaglios themselves were handmade by skilled artisans through carving an image onto a gemstone. ![]() Immediately I was struck with their beauty and history. I decided the best way to honor these artifacts is through resurrecting them into the modern world as spectacular jewelry.Īncient Intaglios were worn by the wealthy businessmen and leaders in Ancient Rome, allowing them to sign documents by transferring hot wax onto letters and contracts as their signature. In a twist of fortune and fate, I was lucky enough to find the most brilliant collection of Ancient Roman Empire Intaglios at an estate.
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