gems, glyptic, engraved gems, seals, finger rings

Of the many benefactions to the University of Oxford made by Charles Drury Edmond Fortnum (1820–99) one of the most important but least publicised was his great collection of finger rings. Signet rings of all periods were but one of his many interests, and he wrote several short studies about them. The present article presents a publication of the Etruscan and South Italian metal rings in the collection, since they can readily be considered on their own, while the Greek and Roman rings with intaglio devices and swivel rings with scarabs are best reserved for the proposed catalogue of Greek and Roman engraved gems. This study of the Oxford rings is also complementary to a more general one by the present writer devoted to Archaic Finger Rings, to be published in Antike Kunst. The Oxford rings listed here are illustrated in Plates I–III, the bezels enlarged twice (except nos. 16, 23–34), side views life size. Measurements are given in millimetres and the devices are described as they appear on the ring, not the impression. I have to thank Dr. H. W. Catling for giving me access to the rings and supplying photographs, and Mr. R. W. Hamilton, Keeper of the Ashmolean, for permission to publish them.