this post was submitted on 29 Jul 2023
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For sharing fascinating artifacts and replicas
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Just a magazine for everyone to share artifacts and replicas for the historically-inclined to admire!
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Wow this is amazing! I would wear this today. Is this for sale?
You'll find heaps of mostly terrible replicas of this ring with the search "anima dulcis vivas mecum ring". If you're happy for low accuracy there are also some 3d models floating around.
The weird thing is the ring in the photo, assuming it is the original, says "mecu" instead of "mecum" which is "with me". It's the only word using a Latin abbreviation, I guess the jeweller didn't quite have room. So search for both 'mecu' and 'mecum' I guess.
The ring itself is apparently in a private collection now though, so no chance of more photos.
Sadly, there seems to be very little market at the moment for replicas of artifacts like these.
I would want an actual artifact one. I've seen a lot of bronze ones on eBay, but I don't know enough to know if they're real or not. Given the prices I think that they probably aren't. Plus bronze turns your skin green.
I would very much emphasize the danger of losing or damaging a worn ring that is an actual piece of antiquity, but if you have an interest in responsible ownership, there are some sites which offer genuine antiquities too common to go to most museums.
Aw man, you just found my next birthday present to myself. And Christmas. And the next birthday...
I'm going to have to stick to the cheaper corroded stuff, but I can own an actual little Roman penis amulet.
Edit: On second thought, they don't even try to list provenance. Perhaps this is too unethical. Bummer.
Hmm, I thought all of them did, but it seems like only some list provenance on the page. It may just be an oversight from these places not always having the best tech literacy. Could try contacting them about pieces you're interested in, may be that they have it recorded but haven't put it on the site.
Yeah I checked that. While they defined provenance and accurately explained why it's hard to get good provenance records, I didn't see anything which indicated they try to ethically source things.
I'd have no problem buying if the funds benefited research and they are actually excess from proper digs, not just looted goods that are not very useful now they lack context.
Even if I am so very very tempted to buy a Byzantine grenade, to try to discover the recipe for Greek Fire.
I guess the thorough thing to do would be to go up through the dealer's accreditations, but I've no interest in that personally. I'd never want to endanger a piece of history with my grubby little hands - I lose enough things around the house as it is! XD
I have two historical items, neither worth more than $20 or has other significant value. I spent more than 10 times the cost on getting museum-grade framing for one of them so I could display it and not destroy it. The other is 20th century and was mass produced, but is kept in conservation-appropriate conditions nonetheless.
Anything extra I get would be equally treasured, but I can't fund destruction any more than I already have. If only it were easier to get reproductions from the rightful owners!