{"product_id":"byzantine-gold-ring-kyanos-4th-6th-c-ce-enamel-cross","title":"Byzantine Gold Ring - 'Kyanos' (ca. 4th–6th c. CE) EU 59.5 \/ US 9","description":"\u003cp\u003eA Byzantine gold ring named 'Kyanos', its high conical bezel bearing a gold cross, the sign of Christian faith and protection, on a blue enamel ground. The cone lifts the round face well above the plain hoop.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Motif:\u003cbr\u003eAn equal-armed gold cross with broad, flared, flat-ended arms spreads across the blue field, a small roundel at the crossing. Fine incised lines follow the edges of each arm and mark out a trapezoidal inner field, and an incised ring outlines the roundel. The cross professed its wearer's faith and called on Christ's protection.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDetails:\u003cbr\u003eEra: Byzantine\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Gold, blue enamel\u003cbr\u003eRing Size: EU 59.5 \/ US 9\u003cbr\u003eWeight: 5.7 g\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Bright gold with fine scratches on the outer hoop; red-brown deposits inside the hoop and along the cross and bezel rim; the blue ground slightly irregular at the rim\u003cbr\u003eProvenance: Private London collection; formerly in an old family collection formed between the 1960s and 2000.\u003cbr\u003eUnique Identifier: R-643-G\u003cbr\u003eAuthenticity: Comes with certificate of authenticity\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCondition and Authenticity:\u003cbr\u003eThis original comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and our written lifetime authenticity guarantee.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHistorical Context:\u003cbr\u003eA flat hoop, hammered on its outer face, carries a separately made truncated cone soldered to its top, with a collar under the round face. Enamel is powdered glass fused by firing, and goldsmiths used it to lay a coloured ground around a gold device. With no reversed device to print in wax, this is a ring for display and devotion, not for sealing. In these centuries the cross became the public emblem of the faith, struck on coins and worked into church plate and dress.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGold, blue enamel and a cross carried high on its cone: devotion made to be seen.\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":64264805777738,"sku":"R-643-G","price":3500.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/kyanos-angled-front-view-of-the-gold-ring-and-its-cross-and-blue-inlay-1.jpg?v=1794040665","url":"https:\/\/auroraantiqua.com\/products\/byzantine-gold-ring-kyanos-4th-6th-c-ce-enamel-cross","provider":"Aurora Antiqua","version":"1.0","type":"link"}