Corbridge Roman Ring

Acquisition of a gold finger ring of 2nd-4th century AD date, made in the opus interrasile technique with 15 fluted facets and the letters AEMILIA ZEBES (Aemilia may you live). It was probably made in one of the Greek provinces of the Roman Empire and may be the earliest Christian artefact to have been found in Britain. It weighs 7.5mg and is 2cm in diameter. Its discovery at Corbridge, Northumberland, in January 1840 is well documented. It was among items due to be auctioned as part of a sale of items belonging to the Duke of Northumberland, but was withdrawn from the auction and purchased by the Museum of Antiquities under private treaty.