Description

Summary: copper alloy ring with glass bezel with intaglio representation of Fortuna

Research results

A Roman copper alloy signet ring with a blue glass intaglio depicting fortuna, found in Bromham. The ring lacks a secure archaeological context, but can be broadly dated to the third century based on its form. Fortuna is one of the most commonly depicted figures on intaglios in Roman Britain, alongside other minor deities associated with good fortune.

This ring was examined by Marshman (2015) as part of thier PhD with the university of Leicester. This PhD undertook a survey of Roman signet rings and intaglios in Britain, criticising previous research which had discussed the objects in almost exclusively art-historical terms, in isolation of the wider archaeological evidence. They highlight that finger rings were an important part of an empire-wide metropolitan tradition due to the importance of sealing in every day tansactions and other contracts. Unlike brooches, signet rings were not a feature of Iron Age dress in Britain, and particularly in the early period appear to have been associated with the roman military and colonia, and those who wished to style themselves as 'Roman'. Wider adoption of signet rings followed in the second and third centuries, when the meaning attributed to them may have changed.