Byzantine Electrum Architectural Ring with Flat Bed Garnet

CIRCA 6TH-9TH CENTURY A.D.

1 1/4 in. (5.76 grams, 31.57 mm overall, 17.90 x 18.03 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)).

The circular hoop composed of two carinated hoops, a finely decorated trumpet bezel set with a later flat-cut deep red garnet framed by a fine band of granules, and four oval beads enriched with granules supporting the bezel.

Provenance

Ex collection of a professional lady, 1970-1990s.

Accompanied by a previous catalogue information page with provenance.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13536-263217.

Literature

Cf. Spier, J., Byzantium and the West: Jewelry in the First Millennium, London, 2012, p.162, no.29, for a similar (but not identical) architectural ring.

Footnotes

The architectural shape of the ring copies Eastern Roman prototypes, and it is possible that it was made in Western workshops of the Migration period, which tend to be more ornate, with greater use of twisted wire filigree and garnet. Eastern Gothic and Merovingian versions of the architectural ring have been found widely in central and Western Europe.

CONDITION

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LOT 0228