“The veritable signet of Cicero (i. e.) the coral in the centre of the ring only. There were members of the Propaganda who thought it resembled some impressions attached to documents in the Vatican of the Roman Governor in Judea, ‘Pontius Pilate.’ The gold setting is supposed to be about the eighth or ninth century by some dignitary in triumph over the pagan philosopher or governor.”
Notwithstanding what is thus said, we are strongly under the impression that it was a mystical ring or one worn in remembrance of a marriage. Upon marbles and gems which illustrate the marriage ceremony, the bride and bridegroom are represented with their respective right hands joined. In Montfaucon[364] (and figured also in Maffei) is a gem which has marital symbols and among them a ring and the clasped right hands; and, in the same work, (Montfaucon,)[365] we find a ring precisely in the form and of the size of the Sessa ring, with right hands disposed in exactly the same manner and also letters above and below the emblem. The words there are:
PROTEROS
VGIAE
Proteros and Hygie; and Montfaucon says, “Cela marque peut être le mariage contracté entre les deux.”
Addison, in his Dialogue on Medals, says: “The two hands that join one another are emblems of Fidelity;” and he quotes (Ovid’s Met. lib. iv.):
“—— Inde Fides dextræque data.”
(Thence faith and the right hand joined.) And also Seneca (Hurc. Fur. lib. iv.):
“Sociemus animos, pignus hoc fidei cape,
Continge dextram.”