LOT 0299

Western Asiatic Gold Ring with Inscribed Sardonyx Gemstone

10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.

1 in. (7.33 grams, 27.65 mm overall, 13.76 x 14.32 mm internal diameter (approximate size British E 1/2, USA 2 1/2, Europe 3, Japan 3)).

With stepped shoulders supporting a cell bezel with a claw setting.

Private collection, acquired on the German art market in 1993; thence by descent.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13183-249300.

Cf. Wärmländer, Ss.K.T.S., Wåhlander, L., Saage, R., Rezakhani, K., Hassan, S.A.H., 'Analysis and Interpretation of a Unique Arabic Finger Ring from the Viking Age Town of Birka, Sweden' in Scanning, volume 37, 2015, pp.131–137, fig.1 for a gemstone of similar shape with partially similar inscription.

Rings from the 9th-13th centuries represent a variety of artistic achievements; the techniques were elaborate, and the rings show rich decoration. The rings were set with cabochons, table-cut oval or rectangular stones such as turquoise, rubies, garnets or other precious stones. The Arabic inscription, engraved with early Kufic characters, contains the expression “AL__LLH”, which could be interpreted as “il-la-lah”, i.e. “For/to Allah”.