{"product_id":"crusader-silver-ring-hartwin-12th-14th-c-ce-initial-seal","title":"Crusader Silver Ring - 'Hartwin' (ca. 12th–14th c. CE) EU 69 \/ US 12.75","description":"\u003cp\u003eA Crusader silver seal ring named 'Hartwin', its broad disc engraved with a stylised letter between a pennant and a fan, the owner's personal mark. The disc is much wider than the thin wire hoop and overhangs it on both sides.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Engraving:\u003cbr\u003eThe letter rises through the centre as a tall stroke with wedge-flared ends, filled with diagonal cross-hatching. On its left a short arm with a pellet links it to a small hatched pennant; on its right a fan of about nine tapering grooves opens outward. An incised circle and an outer band of short pecked strokes frame the field like a twisted cord. In wax, the cut design prints in relief, so the letter could stand for its owner.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDetails:\u003cbr\u003eEra: Medieval\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Silver\u003cbr\u003eRing Size: EU 69 \/ US 12.75\u003cbr\u003eWeight: 2.8 g\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Even pale grey matte face with fine brown deposits in some grooves; pecked border softened in places, hatching still sharp; pale green deposits and yellowish patches at the soldered hoop ends behind the disc\u003cbr\u003eProvenance: Private UK collection; acquired on the London art market before 2000.\u003cbr\u003eUnique Identifier: R-682-S\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\u003eThe ends of the slender wire hoop are flattened into tabs and soldered to the back of the disc, so the hoop stops short of crossing beneath it. A disc this broad gave the engraver room for a bold device, cut freehand with a graver. A seal ring did the work of a signature: wax pressed with the owner's sign closed a letter or confirmed a document, and anyone who knew the sign knew whose it was.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe sign was engraved only once, yet every impression in wax gave its owner's word again.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExplore more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/medieval-crusader-rings\"\u003eMedieval rings\u003c\/a\u003e from our collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64264850997578,"sku":"R-682-S","price":750.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/hartwin-angled-front-view-of-the-silver-ring-and-its-engraved-disc-bezel-1.jpg?v=1794041167","url":"https:\/\/auroraantiqua.com\/products\/crusader-silver-ring-hartwin-12th-14th-c-ce-initial-seal","provider":"Aurora Antiqua","version":"1.0","type":"link"}