{"product_id":"byzantine-bronze-ring-theodora-7th-12th-century-ce-ancient-christian-jewelry-cross-bezel-signet-authentic-artifact","title":"Byzantine Bronze Ring - 'Irene' (7th–12th c. CE) EU 54 \/ US 6.75","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis cast bronze signet ring, named 'Irene', carries a devotional cross engraved into its oval bezel, its fields softened by punched dots. A modest, deeply personal object from the Byzantine world, likely worn between the 7th and 12th century as both adornment and quiet declaration of faith.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDetails:\u003cbr\u003eEra: Byzantine, 7th–12th Century CE\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Bronze\u003cbr\u003eRing Size: EU 54 \/ US 6.75\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Untouched, with multi-layered malachite green and cuprite patina; engraving softened by centuries of wear\u003cbr\u003eProvenance: From a private Belgian collection, acquired between the 1960s and 1990s\u003cbr\u003eUnique Identifier: R-231-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\u003eSmall cast bronze rings bearing the cross were among the most widespread devotional objects of the Byzantine sphere, worn across the Eastern Mediterranean and Balkans from Late Antiquity into the Medieval period. The four punched dots flanking the cross carry apotropaic weight, often read as the nails of the Crucifixion or as protective marks. An analogous piece from Thebes is published in Dalton's 1912 catalogue of the British Museum, and a near-twin from Zăbala is dated to the second half of the 12th century, confirming this typology as an original Byzantine ring with documented provenance in scholarship.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhy This Piece?\u003cbr\u003e'Irene' is a wearable medieval-era artifact with an engraved iconography that speaks plainly of the faith of its owner. Its restrained scale and layered patina make it an unusually intimate survival, suited to collectors who value quiet authenticity over spectacle.\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":62790621823306,"sku":"R-231-B","price":190.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/byzantine-bronze-signet-ring-theodora-with-engraved-cross-and-dot-bezel-front-vi-1.jpg?v=1784788963","url":"https:\/\/auroraantiqua.com\/products\/byzantine-bronze-ring-theodora-7th-12th-century-ce-ancient-christian-jewelry-cross-bezel-signet-authentic-artifact","provider":"Aurora Antiqua","version":"1.0","type":"link"}