ㅤI study archaeology, and my professor showed us bullae they had found during the excavations in Pompeii, dating back to the 1st century BC. ㅤA bulla is a tiny stone with an engraving, which was used for authentication—for example, as a stamp for scrolls. It could not be faked, as it was made by an artist in one single example by royal commission. The stone would be attached to a ring; some emperors would have a few for different purposes. ㅤFor the bulla to not stick to the wax when sealing, the owner would have to wet it. They would kiss the ring and stamp the wax. At the house of Marcus Fabio Rufo, they found an engraving on the wall that said: ㅤ"Vellem essem gemma hora non amplius una, ut tibi signanti oscula pressa darem." ㅤ"I wish I were the gem of your ring, just for an hour, to kiss you when you moisten it to impress its seal."
ㅤThis ancient way of confessing love was so beautiful to me—literal poetry. I also found a bulla in an antique store; it was from the 18th century, belonged to an Arab. Would love to order a bulla for myself, although I believe the only people who still use it are museum keepers of archives—they seal the doors with their rings. A simple, yet brilliant way to secure the door, while also honoring the traditions. Because nobody will know if someone uses a key, but a sealed wax? Harder to fake the exact artwork of the seal.
Gold Ring Featuring a Roman Carnelian Intaglio Depicting an Emperor, 1st Century CE - 2nd Century CE ㅤBullae are so tiny—in the museum stands, there are a bunch presented next to each other, and I confess, just like the majority of visitors, I used to skip that part. But after studying them, I pay closer attention. Each one has an artwork and a history to tell, carved on a stone just 1–3 cm in diameter. Blows my mind how these were made over 2000 years ago.
The coins of Artavasdes II of Armenia, History Museum of Armenia.
