Ancient Egypt Bronze Hieroglyphic Signet Ring Size 8 c. 300 BC-300 AD COA For Sale

Ancient Ptolemaic / Graeco-Roman Egyptian Cast Bronze Hieroglyphic Signet Ring (US Size 8 — c. 3rd Century BC – 3rd Century AD)

Authenticity & Guarantee

• Certification: Certified Authentic — includes signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) with full provenance documentation.

• Provenance: Ex-private European collection, legally acquired from international sales; Ancient Egyptian / Graeco-Roman Sphere.

Item Specifications & Exact Dimensions

• Object: Cast Bronze Hieroglyphic / Magical Inscribed Signet Ring

• Culture / Period: Ptolemaic Kingdom to Graeco-Roman Egypt

• Date Range: Circa 3rd Century BC – 3rd Century AD (c. 300 BC – 300 AD)

• Ring Size: US Ring Size 8 (Approx. 18.2 mm inner diameter)

• Material: Cast Bronze (Copper Alloy)

• Form & Architecture: Elevated rectangular bezel matrix deeply engraved with stylized Egyptian hieroglyphic characters and divine symbols enclosed within a linear border; angular shoulders tapering down into a flat-section bronze shank

• Condition: Fine ancient condition. Complete bezel displaying crisp, deeply cut central hieroglyphic intaglio details; shank exhibits an ancient structural hairline stress fracture along one side shoulder, fully stabilized under an authentic dark charcoal-olive bronze patina with bright golden-yellow earthen burial encrustations. Free of modern restoration.

Graeco-Egyptian Hybrid Jewelry & Sacred Script

During the Ptolemaic dynasty (founded by Alexander the Great\'s general Ptolemy I) and continuing into the Roman period, Egyptian artistic traditions merged with Hellenistic craftsmanship. Rectangular bronze signet rings with deeply cut bezels were favored by temple priests, merchants, and administrators across Alexandria, Memphis, and Thebes.

Amuletic Power of Hieroglyphic Seals

In ancient Egyptian belief, hieroglyphic characters (medu netjer or \"gods\' words\") were inherently magical. When engraved into a personal signet ring, the characters served a dual purpose: functionally, they stamped clay bullae and jar stoppers to protect property; spiritually, they functioned as a personal amulet (sa) that invoked divine favor, luck, and protection from deities such as Thoth or Horus.

Typological Analysis & Exact Classification

• Primary Class: Ancient Egyptian Jewelry / Graeco-Egyptian Signet Ring

• Sub-Class: Rectangular Bezel Hieroglyphic Intaglio Class

• Manufacturing Technique: Lost-wax cast copper alloy with hand-chiseled bezel matrix.

Comparable Archaeological Examples & Museum Accession Numbers

• Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology (London, Accession No. UC52340): Ptolemaic / Roman Egyptian bronze signet rings with hieroglyphic bezels.

• British Museum (Accession No. EA29241): Graeco-Roman bronze finger ring engraved with hieroglyphic symbols.

• Metropolitan Museum of Art (Accession No. 26.7.1275): Ptolemaic Period bronze seal ring with rectangular hieroglyphic bezel.

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