The senators and equites of Ancient Rome wore golden rings as did the the legionary tribunes. The plebeians wore iron rings unless when they were presented with a golden one for their bravery in war or as a reward for special services.
This is an ancient Roman iron signet ring set with its original sard intaglio, dating to the 1st century A.D. The intaglio is finely cut with a hand, grasping two wheat stalks and a poppy. This is a reference to the goddess of the harvest Demeter and Persephone goddess of the Underworld. The intaglio has chip to the lower edge, it is firmly set in the ring. This has been stabilized and conserved to a museum display standard, thus is not really suited for wear due the age of the ancient iron. |