ca. 100–300 AD. Roman. A solid bronze ring with a circular hoop and an applied oval bezel decorated with an incised pentagram. According to Neoplatonic philosophers (2nd century AD), the pentagram was used as a symbol of recognition by the Pythagorean philosophers (6th century BC), who called the pentagram 'hygieia' (health).Provenance: From the private collection of a Central London gentleman; previously in a collection formed on the UK/European art market before 2000.Size: D: 16mm / US: 5 3/8 / UK: K 1/2; 3.8g