Byzantine Gold Ring with Garnet

$1,010.97

A beautiful Byzantine ring, featuring a round hoop and a round, high bezel, composed of a gold cell decorated with small gold granules. The bezel is enriched by garnet insets, arranged to create a pleasant pattern. The garnets display different hues, ranging from deep red to light purple. The loop has been modelled in ancient times from ancient gold, and attached to the bezel, which might have been originally part of necklace or sewed into garments. Closest UK size J.

Date: Circa 6th-9th Century AD
Condition: Very well preserved and suitable for modern wear with care.

SOLD

SKU: CS-56 Category: Tag:

Following the trends set by the Romans, Byzantine jewellery became a continuation of Roman jewellery traditions. As in many other cultures throughout Antiquity, Byzantine jewellery acted not only as an embellishment, but most importantly as a direct display of someone’s wealth and social status. Thanks to its wealth, such precious jewels have been widely used during the Byzantine era, reaching their peak in stones embellishment and elaborated patterns. The law introduced by the Emperor Justinian in 529 AD, determining what gemstones were allowed to be worn and by whom, clearly confirms their importance.

To discover more about Byzantine jewellery, please visit our relevant blog post: The Byzantine Empire, Art and Christianity.

Weight 4.89 g
Dimensions W 1.6 cm
Culture

Metal

Region

Semi-Precious Stones

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Reference: For a similar item, The British Museum, item 1981,0104.5

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