{"product_id":"byzantine-bronze-ring-stephanos-5th-7th-c-ad-eu-51-us-5-75","title":"Byzantine Bronze Ring 'Stephanos' (5th-7th c. AD) EU 51\/US 5.75","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"119\" data-end=\"844\"\u003eA cast bronze ring of the Early Byzantine period featuring a circular bezel that originally carried a gilded surface. The bezel is engraved with a sequence of Greek letters arranged across the face in angular capital forms characteristic of Late Antique and early Byzantine epigraphy. Distinct triangular and lambda shaped characters are visible, reflecting writing styles used in the eastern Mediterranean during the early centuries of the Byzantine Empire. Additional engraved letters appear on the shoulders of the hoop, indicating that the inscription likely continued beyond the central bezel. Traces of original gilding survive, suggesting the ring was designed to imitate the appearance and prestige of gold jewellery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"846\" data-end=\"1191\"\u003eDetails\u003cbr data-start=\"853\" data-end=\"856\"\u003eMaterial: Bronze with traces of gilding\u003cbr data-start=\"895\" data-end=\"898\"\u003eDate: Early Byzantine, 5th–7th century AD\u003cbr data-start=\"939\" data-end=\"942\"\u003eRing Size: EU 51 \/ US 5.75\u003cbr data-start=\"968\" data-end=\"971\"\u003eProvenance: Private Belgian collection, assembled before the 1960s\u003cbr data-start=\"1037\" data-end=\"1040\"\u003eUnique Identifier: R-180-B\u003cbr data-start=\"1066\" data-end=\"1069\"\u003eCondition: Very good, with stable patina and visible traces of original gilding, engraving softened slightly through age\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1193\" data-end=\"1351\"\u003eRestoration and Authenticity\u003cbr data-start=\"1221\" data-end=\"1224\"\u003eOffered in original, untouched condition with stable patina and no modern repairs.\u003cbr data-start=\"1306\" data-end=\"1309\"\u003eA Certificate of Authenticity is included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1353\" data-end=\"2039\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eHistorical Context\u003cbr data-start=\"1371\" data-end=\"1374\"\u003eIn the early Byzantine world, inscribed rings formed an important category of personal jewellery and devotional objects. Greek was the primary written language of the Byzantine Empire, and rings frequently carried short inscriptions that expressed identity, ownership, or religious sentiment. Some examples contained abbreviated invocations or protective formulas reflecting the strong role of Christianity in everyday life. Gilded bronze rings offered the visual richness of gold while remaining accessible to a broader social range, and they were worn by individuals across the Byzantine provinces as both ornaments and symbolic expressions of faith and identity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61290625728842,"sku":"R-180-B","price":900.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/IMG_0452.jpg?v=1772999580","url":"https:\/\/auroraantiqua.com\/products\/byzantine-bronze-ring-stephanos-5th-7th-c-ad-eu-51-us-5-75","provider":"Aurora Antiqua","version":"1.0","type":"link"}