DEXTRARUM IUNCTIO Ancient Roman Intaglio Ring 1st-2nd Cent. AD 22 Kt Gold Ring
The Emblem of Eternal Vows: Dextrarum Iunctio
This exquisite Roman intaglio captures one of the most emblematic and profound gestures in Roman visual culture: the dextrarum iunctio, or the joining of right hands. Far surpassing a mere expression of affection, this gesture was the solemn, ritualistic seal of concordia (concord), mutual loyalty, and the formal bond of matrimony. In Roman society, the clasped hands were universally understood as the moment of mutual entrustment, formalizing a union that was both socially recognized and ritually sanctioned.
An Augury of Prosperity: The Floral Motif
Suspended delicately above the hands is a stylised floral emblem or small flowering branch, a motif frequently invoked for its auspicious meaning. While the botanical form is stylised, its contours evoke the carnation (Dianthus), a flower associated with enduring affection and unwavering fidelity. Alternatively, it may represent a stylised myrtle blossom, which was sacred to Venus and symbolized fertility, harmony, and marital prosperity.
Regardless of the precise species, the flower's placement adds a powerful, hopeful dimension to the scene: it is an augury of growth, vitality, and flourishing concord.
Context and Significance
Comparanda from institutions like the British Museum, which preserves several rings featuring the dextrarum iunctio, help illuminate the composition’s enduring meaning. Such combinations of clasped hands and floral emblems were widely understood as a potent visual expression of omonoia (harmony) and the sincere wish for a prosperous union.
This intaglio, therefore, is securely identified as belonging to the tradition of nuptial and concord symbolism prevalent during the Roman early Imperial period. The joining of hands represents the legal and emotional covenant, while the flower serves as an emblem of fertility and the hope that the union will "blossom".
The gem transcends the merely decorative: it is a powerful talisman, encapsulating a deeply meaningful message of unity, fidelity, and good fortune, transforming the ring into a personal charm for love and enduring marital harmony.
Our jewelry store, Serra Roma, proudly presents an exquisite collection that beautifully honors the ancient traditions of Greek and Roman civilizations. Each piece in our collection, including authentic ancient Roman and Greek coins and intaglios, is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, providing proof of its historical significance and origin.
