Ancient Roman Bronze Ring with Lituus - Augural Staff Circa 2nd-3rd century AD This nice bronze ring features a circular incised hoop and an applied irregular-shaped bezel decorated with an engraved lituus motif. The lituus was a ritual staff used in ancient Rome, primarily by augurs, who were priests responsible for interpreting the will of the gods by studying the flight patterns of birds. Characterized by its distinctively curved top, the lituus was a symbol of authority and divine connection. Its shape resembled a shepherd's crook, which emphasized the augur's role as a guide to the people in spiritual matters. In practice, the augur would use the lituus during ceremonies to mark out a sacred space in the sky, known as the "templum," within which the birds' movements were observed. This process was called "taking the auspices," a critical aspect of Roman religion and politics, as no major public decision, including military actions and significant state affairs, could be undertaken without the favourable signs interpreted by the augurs. The lituus, therefore, held immense significance in ensuring that the gods' will be properly understood and adhered to. Size: D: 14.36mm / US: 3 3/8 / UK: G; 16.94g Provenance: From the private collection of a South London collector; previously in a collection formed on the UK/European art market in the 1990s. Disclaimer: NO SHIPPING OUTSIDE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. All items will be shipped from Belgium. The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits. The seller will not ship outside the EU.