Rare Egyptian bronze stirrup seal ring with the Royal Cartouche of Ramesses III, 20th Dynasty, 1189 - 1155 BC. Heavy solid ring weighing 38,03 gram and 3,18 cm in length. The size and massive weight reflects its importance. The ring has been examined by the representative of the Egyptology department at the RMO Archaeology Museum in Leiden, the Netherlands. Besides the fact the Royal Cartouche is not rare as it is present at multiple finds, nevertheless there is no similar parallel bronze ring known with the Royal Cartouche which is indicatieve for the rarity of this magnificent ring. All characteristics, such as weight, form, length and cartouche do indicate that this ring was most likely belonged to one of the officials under the reign of king Ramesses III.

The hieroglyphic reads User Maat Ra Mery Amon, the throne name of Ramesses III. The Cartouche is one of the Royal Titularities of Ramesses III.

Ramses III is considered to be the last great pharao.

The ring is in very fine condition but do have traces of corrosion to some spots, however this do not distractis the over all beauty of this ring. The ring is shaped as a stirrup and has a magnificent eye appeal which is considered to be of one of the finest form. The ring is covered with beautiful emerald green patina with areas of blue azurite. The bronze is thick and of very high quality. The ring has been professionally cleaned, treated and conserved to protect the bronze by Kunstwacht/ Archeoplan in the Netherlands. There is also an appraisal made by Egyptologist, Mr. H. Pragt. stated in the Netherlands. 

Provenance: Ex-private American collection, Bergen County, collected between 1970-2000.

While the rulers of the Ancient Near East used cylinder seals to sign their names and seal their documents, their Ancient Egyptians used signet rings. In fact, the earliest existing rings are those unearthed in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs. The finest examples traditionally date from the XVIIIth to the XXth Dynasty. They are formed of pure metal and fairly simple in their design: the names and title of the owner recorded in sunk hieroglyphic characters on an oblong bezel. The ring would have been pressed into wet clay or hot wax to seal official documents. This magnificent bronze ring features the royal cartouche of King Ramesses III. Considering that this ring was forged of bronze and not gold, it is likely that this ring was worn by one of his officials. Thus, with Ramesses III's accord, an official could seal a document himself.