Roman Ring & Dot Signet

Period: 12th – 13th Century (High Medieval)

​Original Material: Copper alloy

​Find Location: Near Selby, North Yorkshire

Style: Flat oval bezel with punched ring-and-dot decoration

Significance of the Design:

• The “ring and dot” motif (also known as the “eye” or “pellet-in-ring” motif) is one of the most ancient decorative styles in human history. In the Roman world, this design carried significant apotropaic weight – meaning it was believed to have the power to avert evil influences.

  Like many amulets of the era, the concentric circles were often worn as a protective charm to ward off the “evil eye” and ensure the wearer’s good fortune and safety. ​Beyond its protective qualities, this ring served a vital social purpose. While the elite of Roman society wore gold signet rings to seal documents and display rank, “trinket rings” like this allowed the broader population to participate in the same fashionable traditions. The flat bezel mimics the form of an expensive intaglio ring, acting as a personal emblem that signalled the wearer’s identity and status within their community.

The Find:

Discovered by a metal detectorist in the soil of Yorkshire, the original artifact survived for nearly two millennia with its distinctive patina intact. The wear on the original bezel suggests it was a cherished personal item, worn daily for many years before it was eventually lost to the earth.