We are so lucky and so proud to be able to offer this Exquisite, extremely rare, authentic ancient Roman Gold 'Handfast' Wedding/Marriage Ring. 

This is a Beautiful Roman Gold Intaglio Ring, having fluted band with raised oval bezel, surmounted by 2 large spheres, set with a carved carnelian intaglio.

The intaglio is engraved with clasped hands for marriage, the bride's belt and bride's marriage torch.  Circa 2nd Century AD from an ex-private collection. 

For a Roman wedding only the three acts of expressing consent were necessary. Most other things in the ceremony varied from couple to couple.

There had to be witnesses to the ceremony to make it legal, typically at least ten witnesses,  and the actual ceremony was held usually at the bride's father house. The bride and groom would stand before a priest and hold hands which were tied together. The bride had agreed to the wedding by appearing in public holding hands with her future husband. Once again, the bride had to consent in public to the marriage by chanting: "Quando tu Gaius, ego Gaia." (When-and where-you are Gaius, I then-and there-am Gaia.) The groom also said the same words.  An offering was made to the god Jupiter, which usually consisted of cake. Once the priest had made the offering, this cake was eaten by the bride and groom.    

The bride's belt may show the knot symbolizing that the husband was "belted and bound" to her, which he was to untie in their bed.  The knot was called Nodus Herculaneus which symbolized the virility of Hercules, who fathered seventy children, which her husband alone was to unloose.

Beautiful wearable piece to give to your groom or bride on your wedding day.  

US Size 7.5 - UK Size O - (1.9 x 1.8cm inner diameter).