Ring jewelery

[jvrjenivs]

In modern times I know many jewelery made of rings. Because I'm now into ring making (just started my new hamata) I wonder if there is any envidence or recources that the Romans make jewelery of Hamata rings.

Could anyone support?

[Matt Lukes]

Ave Jurjen,

I'm not sure I understand your question- are you asking if the Romans ever made jewellery from iron? If so, my immediate thinking would be no- iron wouldn't likely have been used for jewellery. It rusts at the drop of a hat, something that's pretty undesirable for many reasons, not the least of which is that it'd stain your hands, wrists, ears, clothing- wherever you happened to wear the piece :lol: It's also a lot more difficult to cast than brass, bronze, gold or silver, and casting is an important method of prodcuing jewellery. Then there's the fact that iron isn't pretty, nor does it have any inherent value- two features jewellery usually has at least one of. Unfortunately, I don't think it's really possible to prove any of this because iron doesn't preserve well- if there was much iron jewellery in the past, it might simply have corroded away!

Matt

[Caius Fabius]

There are written references to the wearing of Iron Rings in upper class
Roman society. Someone one here will probably have the references close at hand, I am currently away from my library. I think I know the answer, but I don't want to say something that could be wrong.

[jvrjenivs]

I don't mean iron particullary. I also could use brass, silver or even gold (plated) rings. But does anyone know resources that the made that kind of jewelery (e.g. bracelet of rings...)

[Matt Lukes]

There are written references to the wearing of Iron Rings in upper class Roman society.

No kiddin'? Wow, I'm surprised- besides the negatives I mentioned before, I've also heard it suggested that iron wasn't considered particularly valuable by the Romans- not even as much as brass and bronze were.

As far as jewellery goes, one can see lots of rings and bracelets, etc. in copper alloys- just have a look at auction websites if you're interested in seeing styles Jurjen.

Matt

[Caius Fabius]

"Jewelry: Propriety demanded that adult male citizens wear only one item of jewelry, a personalized signet ring that was used to make an impression in sealing wax in order to authorize documents. Originally made of iron, these signet rings later came to be made of gold"...
from http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/clothing.html

and

Rings, of all Roman jewelry, held a singular and symbolic position in Ancient Rome. In earlier times iron rings were regarded as symbols of victory when worn on the hand of a successful general.

from http://www.mondera.com/learn/gladrings.asp

also look at http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-dgra/0102.html

[Restitvtvs]

I bought a Roman iron ring (found in present Bulgaria) from a reputable academician & artifact dealer. The ring's condition is consistent with many European museum Roman iron pieces that I have seen.

The ring has a rather interesting design on it's top face, looks like a stellar constellation.

During the next few weeks, I'll borrow a digital camera & post images. +r

[Franklin]

There is ample evidence for jewellery made of rings throughout the Roman period. Any time you see a bracelet, necklace, or body chain made from what appears to be finely braided gold wire, these are actually hundreds of interlocking elongated rings (or ovals, if you will) bent in half and passed through each other in complex patterns.

[Martin Moser]

I can also confirm iron rings, I know of one just like the silver/gold rings carrying cameos. Only saw it a few weeks ago, if I find the reference I'll post it ...