ROMAN SIGNET RING C.100-400 AD, SIZE 7 9 1/2 Gilt bronze just under size

Gilt bronze just under size 11

Professionally refurbished for modern wear with the 24karat gold overlay restored

Professionally refurbished with 24karat gold surface restored

of heavy proportions

probably representing the lituus used by Roman diviners (Augurs)

ROMAN SIGNET RING C.100-400 AD, SIZE 7 9 1/2 Gilt bronze just under sizeGilt bronze with 2. 5mm flat face band. Circular bezel engraved with a bird with wings raised as when taking off. Birds were important in Roman mythology and every day life. Their activities were deemed prophetical and they were sacrificed with the entrails examined to interpret omens, like reading tea leaves. This bird appears to be a raven, associated with Apollo. Light texture from burial with the image crisp. The 24karat gold surface restored.