{"product_id":"byzantine-bronze-ring-stavros-4th-6th-century-ce-ancient-key-ring-openwork-cross-devotional-artifact","title":"Byzantine Bronze Ring - 'Stavros' (4th–6th c. CE) EU 48 \/ US 4.5","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis remarkable Byzantine bronze ring, named 'Stavros', preserves the silhouette of a Roman key ring transformed for Christian devotion. Rising from a rectangular shoulder platform, a fixed disc bezel displays an openwork Latin cross set within a raised circular frame, flanked by four corner knobs. Cast as a single piece in the 4th–6th century CE, it belongs to the transitional moment when the mechanics of Roman jewelry met the iconography of the early Church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDetails:\u003cbr\u003eEra: Byzantine, 4th–6th Century CE\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Bronze\u003cbr\u003eRing Size: EU 48 \/ US 4.5\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Excellent stable patina with malachite green in the recesses and golden-tan highlights on the high points; bezel solidly intact\u003cbr\u003eProvenance: From a private Belgian collection, acquired between the 1960s and 1990s\u003cbr\u003eUnique Identifier: R-210-B\u003cbr\u003eAuthenticity: Comes with certificate of authenticity\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRestoration and Authenticity:\u003cbr\u003eThis piece is preserved in its untouched state, showing natural aging and patina from centuries of burial and wear. For those who prefer a refreshed look, a professional restoration service is available, reviving original detail while respecting historical integrity.\u003cbr\u003eIf you'd like to book a restoration, simply add the restoration option along with your order or book it as the additional product in my shop.\u003cbr\u003eA Certificate of Authenticity is included.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHistorical Context:\u003cbr\u003eRoman key rings, worn on the finger to secure the keys of a household strongbox or cabinet, were among the most practical objects of daily life in antiquity. As Christianity spread through the eastern provinces in the 4th and 5th centuries, artisans adapted the familiar key-ring silhouette into a devotional form, replacing functional wards with pierced crosses and sacred emblems. 'Stavros' embodies this shift, a historical ring with documented provenance that carries both the memory of Roman utility and the new symbolism of early Byzantine faith.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhy This Piece?\u003cbr\u003eAn original Byzantine ring uniting the mechanics of a Roman key ring with an openwork cross bezel is an uncommon survival, well suited to collectors drawn to antique rings with engraved iconography. Its stable patina, solid one-piece construction, and quiet devotional message make it as compelling to study as it is to wear.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExplore more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/byzantine-rings\"\u003eByzantine rings\u003c\/a\u003e from our collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62611480510794,"sku":"R-210-B","price":450.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/byzantine-bronze-ring-stavros-with-openwork-cross-bezel-rising-from-rectangular-1.jpg?v=1783146824","url":"https:\/\/auroraantiqua.com\/products\/byzantine-bronze-ring-stavros-4th-6th-century-ce-ancient-key-ring-openwork-cross-devotional-artifact","provider":"Aurora Antiqua","version":"1.0","type":"link"}