The Archaeological Museum in Zagreb obtained most of the rings by purchase or as a gift, from various ancient sites (Siscia, Asseria, Viminacium, Sirmium, Burgenae). Most of the objects come from the area of the former Roman province of Pannonia, almost half of which are from Sisak.
The Museum said these were mostly accidental finds that arrived thanks to the museum trustees, and some of them were found during the dredging of the Kupa River bed, which was carried out from 1900 to 1913. Only a few rings were found in archaeological research.
According to the exhibition announcement, the ring was more than ordinary jewelry for the Romans, and apart from its decorative purpose, as an ornament on the hand, it had a symbolic and magical meaning.
The shapes of the rings vary from very simple to richly decorated with gems, filigree and granulation, and they reflect trends in design and gradual changes in fashion throughout the Empire in the period from the 1st to the 4th century.
Depending on the material from which the ring was made, it showed status in the military and civil hierarchy, and the right to wear a gold ring was determined by a special law.
The Romans most often wore a ring on the fourth finger (ring finger), then on the index finger and on the little finger, while extremely large and massive rings were probably worn on the thumb.
The author of the exhibition is Nikoleta Perok, senior curator, and it was organised by the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb.