RARE ROMANO-EGYPTIAN GILDED BRONZE RING WITH HIPPO. Ca. 30 BC - AD 200. A gold ring composed of a round hoop and discoid bezel with a ropework border. It depicts an image of a bird of prey perching with wings spread and head turned. It has an inscription in an arc above the bird's head '·al : for : ye : best ·' (all for the best). The ring's find location is close to an estate which was owned in the 14th century by the Skrene family and which included among their number a senior barrister and sergeant-at-law named William Skrene who was an Irish-born barrister and judge. The family name lives on to the present day at Roxwell with Skreens Park and for local road names nearby. William spent his professional life in England, being appointed King's Serjeant and a judge of assize, as well as Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer in 1395-7. In addition to the estate at Roxwell, he acquired various lands in Essex, including at Writtle, Great Finborough and Stanford Rivers. William died in 1419-20 and left sons and a daughter; his heir, also called William, married Alice Tyrrell, widow of Hamo Strange, and daughter of John Tyrrell, who was Speaker of the House of Commons of England for three terms. The exact combination of motto and crest or badge has eluded researches thus far. However, the ring was found near Roxwell, Essex, and evidently belonged to a person of some wealth and status given the quantity of gold used in its manufacture and the quality of the workmanship. The style of the ring is close in appearance to a number of early 15th century examples, which began to appear with the badge and motto rather than the full armorial bearings, so it is very possible that this is the personal signet ring of William Skrene, or possibly of his sons, William or Thomas. Size: D:19.15mm / US: 9 1/4 / UK: S; Weight: 16.8g. Provenance: Private UK collection, acquired on the Dutch art market in the 1990s. This piece is accompanied by an authentication statement by Sami Fortune, ancient jewellery specialist.