Roman Bronze Pyramid or Obelisk Casket / Jewel Box Fighting Key Ring .  Unearthed at a Roman dig site near the Danube and circa 300 A.D.

This authentic ancient bronze roman ring is a great ring that did double duty for it's owner

This ring is a "casket" key ring. These keys were used to secure small personal boxes or caskets in which small valuables could be kept away from sticky fingers and the key could be worn and kept with it's owner for added security. This is an excellent example with only a single, square "bail" with a pyramid point to it. This rings lock was not sophisticated. The raised square bezel was made to perfectly fit it's mate inside the box's lock. We do not think that either the decoration on top or the vertical lines on the side had any effect beyond being decorative when the ring was worn.

On the surface it appears to be just a nice ring with a three-dimensional pyramid atop of a raised square bezel that would catch the light and be an attractive piece. I almost wonder because of its height if it isn't supposed to be an Obelisk instead of a pyramid. These rings had a more practical and sinister use though. Because of their shape, they were quite good to have on your hand in a fight. The sharp protruding surfaces could inflict great damage and pain to an opponent. The picture below shows how the band strengthened the design and gave the bezel support when dealing an opponent a blow, instead of just being a round band of bronze that the bezel sat upon.

US Size 6 3/4 - UK Size N 1/2 - Average Opening = 17.13mm