Rare Roman ring goes on display in Haddington
The Roman gold serpent ring is on display at the John Gray Centre until November. Photo credit: Sally Anderson Photography
A stunning Roman gold ring in the shape of a serpent is now on display at the John Gray Centre, Haddington.
The ring has been added to our Museums Service collection after being acquired through the Treasure Trove system and the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel (SAFAP). Its purchase was supported by the National Fund for Acquisitions and Art Fund.
A rare find
The ring dates from the 1st century AD and is made from solid gold wire shaped into a serpent. One end forms the snake's head and the other its tail. Fine engraved details, including scales, nostrils and teeth, can still be seen.
Rings of this type are rare. Similar examples can be found in the collections of the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the V&A.
On display this summer
Visitors can see the ring at the John Gray Centre until November. It will then be loaned to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh for its temporary exhibition, Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire, from November until April 2027.
The museum is open Thursday to Saturday. Opening hours are 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm on Saturdays.
Find out more
People interested in archaeology can also look out for events taking place during Archaeology Fortnight from 29 August to 13 September.