A Bactrian bronze ring featuring a round hoop and a raised bezel. The band is wide, flaring slightly towards the bezel. The bezel itself is formed of a cylindrical protrusion, decorated by two concentric trails of granules. The bezel is set with a translucent glass bead, with the suspension perforation still visible. Three vertical lines of granules decorate the band around the bezel. The ring features a vibrant blue patination and earthy encrustations to the surface. The glass bead is slightly scratched. Bactria, or Bactriana, was an important historical region in central Asia. It served as a significant meeting place for Western and Eastern trade routes as well as being a central location for religious and artistic ideas. Large scale migration and resettlement of communities across the region resulted in a large circulation of new cultures and languages and an accumulation of vast wealth. Jewellery is such a wealth gained; rings such as this one pose as a suitable example. Internal diameter: 2cm Closest UK ring size: T Weight: 11.07g Provenance: Private London collection, ex Parthenon Gallery, 1990-2017.