For Customers outside of USA

Size 6 Genuine Ancient Engraved Roman/Byzantine Bronze Band 9th or 10th Century A.D.

CLASSIFICATION: Ancient Byzantine (Eastern Roman Empire) Bronze Ring with "Concentric Circles" band featuring engraved concentric circles - symbols of both (Roman) Pagan Magic and ancient Christianity.

ATTRIBUTION: Eastern Roman Empire (Constantinople), 10th Century A.D.

SIZE/MEASUREMENTS: Fits ring size 9 1/2 (U.S.).

Overall Diameter: 19mm (outer diameter); 17 1/2mm * 16 1/2mm (inner diameter).

Bezel: 12mm in diameter; 1 1/2mm in thickness.

Fixed Width 4mm Band.

Weight: 2.73 grams.

CONDITION: Excellent! Completely intact, moderately light wear consistent with occasional ancient use, very little porosity (surface pitting caused by contact with earth while buried). Professionally conserved.

DETAIL: A very well preserved bronze ring circa 9th or 10th century A.D. As you can see, the ring is very bold, handsome, and elegant in design. Not only does the bezel itself possess a rather intricate design, but even the bands are fairly ornate. The bands bear a twisted rope pattern in the center, and raised edges as well. Close examination will actually reveal that the bands are actually stamped - which helps date the artifact beyond the fall of the Western Roman Empire. There is a fair amount of wear to the bands indicating that the ring was worn frequently, but the band is entirely intact and in very good condition. Of course the ring was produced with the idea that someone would purchase it and wear it, and that's exactly what happened. So it should not come as any great surprise that there are indications of wear.

The bezel possesses a peripheral pattern of hash marks around the entire perimeter, a nice and intricate though simple design. Within this perimeter may be found six punched concentric circles. The symbolism of these concentric circles found on items of personal adornment arose in very ancient times:much more ancient even than the Romans, Greeks, or Phoenicians. This ring would have served as protection against adverse influences of the "evil eye". Ancient pagan beliefs encompassed the idea that a glance from a powerful and evil individual could bring about adverse consequences. Thus some sort of protection against such an event was considered by many imperative.

This concentric circle design, affording protection to the wearer from the "evil eye", was increasing adopted by and associated with those of the ancient Christian faith. So much so that even though the symbolism of the concentric circles arose from more ancient times, by the 3rd century A.D. concentric circles were increasingly associated with and regarded as an expression of Christianity. By the sixth century such concentric circles were associated almost exclusively with the Christian faith, and rings, bracelets, and pendants worn by citizens of the Byzantine/Christian Empire commonly carried this theme. Byzantine era cross pendants would be depicted with five such circles representing the five wounds Christ suffered during crucifixion (hands, feet, crown of thorns, spear to the sides).

All of the metal work exhibits very fine workmanship, and is entirely intact - though it is obvious that the ring was worn in life. There is a fair amount of wear to the bands indicating that the ring was worn frequently - though the wear is moderate, and the theme entirely intact. This ring is simply superbly preserved and restored. The punch marks and engraved hash marks remain easily discerned and distinct. You have to look very closely to see any of the telltale signs indicating the ring was buried for millennia. Most small artifacts such as this suffer extensive degradation from porosity, which is fine surface pitting caused by prolonged burial in caustic soil. This ring spent well over 1,000 years buried, yet by good fortune there is very little porosity evidenced. It happened to come to rest in very gentle soil conditions.

This is an exceptional piece of Roman/Byzantine jewelry, a very handsome artifact, eminently wearable, and even under a jeweler's loop or magnifying glass, there is little discernable degradation due to corrosion, oxidation, porosity, except for moderate wear consistent with usage. It is an interesting historical relic which pertains not only to the history of Roman Byzantium, but also to the history of jewelry production. The ring is very modern and distinctive in appearance - a classic and timeless design. The ring has a very nice golden tone - unmistakably bronze - but very attractive and very characteristic of ancient bronze. The Romans and their Byzantine successors were of course very fond of ornate personal jewelry including bracelets worn both on the forearm and upper arm, brooches, pendants, hair pins, earrings intricate fibulae and belt buckles, and of course, rings. This specimen is an exceptional piece of ancient Roman-Byzantine jewelry, a very handsome artifact, and could be worn on a daily basis without adverse effect. It will be a wonderfully evocative piece of ancient jewelry, a relic of the glory and grandeur of the Eastern Roman/Byzantine Empire and early orthodox Christianity.

HISTORY: The Byzantine Empire was the eastern remainder of the great Roman Empire, and stretched from its capital in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul, Turkey) through much of Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, and small portions of North Africa and the Middle East. Prior to the fifth century collapse of the Western Roman Empire, one of Rome's greatest emperors, Constantine the Great, established a second capital city for the Roman Empire in the East at Byzantium, present day Turkey. Constantine The Great sought to reunite the Roman Empire, centered upon Christian faith, by establishing a second "capital" for the Eastern Roman, away from the pagan influences of the city of Rome. Established as the new capital city for the Eastern Roman Empire in the fourth century, Constantine named the city in his own honor, "Constantinople".

After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire, the "Byzantine Empire", lasted for another thousand years as the cultural, religious and economic center of Eastern Europe. At the same time, as a consequence of the fall of the Western Roman Empire, most of the rest of Europe suffered through one thousand years of the "dark ages". As the center of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople was one of the most elaborate, civilized, and wealthy cities in all of history. The Christian Church eventually became the major political force in the Byzantine Empire. In Byzantine art, God rather than man stood at the center of the universe. Constantine the Great is also credited with being the first Christian Roman Emperor, and was eventually canonized by the Orthodox Church. Christianity had of course been generally outlawed prior to his reign.

Under the Byzantine Empire Christianity became more than just a faith, it was the theme of the entire empire, its politics, and the very meaning of life. Christianity formed an all-encompassing way of life, and the influence of the Byzantine Empire reached far both in terms of time and geography, certainly a predominant influence in all of Europe up until the Protestant Reformation. In Byzantine art, God rather than man stood at the center of the universe. Representations of Christ, the Virgin, and various saints predominated the coinage of the era. The minting of the coins remained crude however, and collectors today prize Byzantine coins for their extravagant variations; ragged edges, "cupped" coins, etc. Other artifacts such as rings, pendants, and pottery are likewise prized for their characteristically intricate designs.

These antiquities come from a number of collections which by and large originated here in Eastern Europe. As well, additional specimens are occasionally acquired from other institutions and dealers, principally in Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. All of these artifacts are now in the United States and are available for immediate delivery via U.S. Mail. Proceeds of the sales benefit the Southern Urals State Student Association for Archaeological and Anthropological Studies in Russia; providing both postgraduate and undergraduate students with meaningful part-time employment, notebook computers, and both reference and study materials. It also supports other institutions and organizations within Russia involved in the study of anthropology and archaeology. All purchases are backed by an unlimited guarantee of satisfaction and authenticity. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete and immediate refund of your entire purchase price.

SHIPPING: These antiquities come from a number of collections which by and large originated here in Eastern Europe. As well, additional specimens are occasionally acquired from other institutions and dealers, principally in Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. All of these artifacts are now in the United States and are available for immediate delivery via U.S. Mail. All purchases are backed by an unlimited guarantee of satisfaction and authenticity. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete and immediate refund of your entire purchase price. A certificate of authenticity (COA) is available upon request.

Our order fulfillment center near Seattle, Washington will ship your purchase within one business day of receipt of your personal check or money order. If you wish to pay electronically, we accept both PayPal and BidPay. However we ask that you PLEASE WAIT before remitting until we have mutually agreed upon method of shipment and shipping charges and you understand our PayPal limitations and policies (stated here). We will ship within one business day of our receipt of your electronic remittance.

A certificate of authenticity (COA) is available upon request. We prefer your personal check or money order over any other form of payment - and we will ship immediately upon receipt of your check (no "holds"). Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE."