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Banner Artemide eLive Auktion 34
Lot # 1154
ROMAN BRONZE BOW RING
Roman Republican period, c. 5th century BC - 1st century BC.
Tricuspid geminous ring in bronze, formed by two cylindrical annular elements, connected by a median body surmounted by three cusps: a wider one, with a triangular base, and two thinner ones placed side by side, with a pyramidal shape. The rings have faint thickenings on the front.
Dimensions: 65 x 30 x 34 mm. 69.7 g. In the past these objects have been interpreted in various ways: as female ornaments, tools for horse taming or bridle clips, as thrusters and bow turnbuckles. Among them, the most reliable hypothesis, based on experiences of experimental practice, is that they are bow turnbuckles, having as their main function the protection of the fingers during the release of the arrow. The tricuspid gemini rings are very widespread especially in the Emilian area, in particular in the Parma, Reggio Emilia and Modena areas, but they are also known in northern Italy in the Lombard and Piedmont areas. Their chronological classification is difficult in the absence of stratigraphic associations, given that they appear both in contexts of the second Iron Age and in the late Republican age, above all due to a tendency towards formal conservatism inherent in the instrument.