{"product_id":"medieval-bronze-ring-wistanoc-10th-13th-c-transverse-bar-punched-ornament","title":"Medieval Bronze Ring - 'Wistanoc' (10th–13th c. CE) EU 50 \/ US 5.25","description":"\u003cp\u003eA medieval bronze band ring named 'Wistanoc', its front crossed by a raised bar punched with S-marks, most likely imitating twisted cord, between two punched circles often read as a protective eye. The bar juts past both edges of the band as rounded tabs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Motif:\u003cbr\u003eAlong the raised bar that crosses the front between two grooves, two staggered rows of comma-shaped punches pair into a chain of S-marks; a punched circle sits on each shoulder, one round and one drawn out into a teardrop, and a ring punch marks the rounded tab at one end of the bar. The S-row most likely imitates twisted cord: set in offset rows, each S leans into the next like the strands of a rope. A running scroll is the other possible reading. The cord pattern borrows the look of a ring twisted from wire. The punched circle, one of the oldest and most widespread ornaments on rings, is often read as a protective eye or a sun sign, so the band probably served its wearer as a small charm as well as an ornament.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDetails:\u003cbr\u003eEra: Medieval\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Bronze\u003cbr\u003eRing Size: EU 50 \/ US 5.25\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Preserved untouched, with a dark grey-green patina and earth deposits in the punches; one tab chipped; a crack across the inside front under the bar\u003cbr\u003eProvenance: Private family collection assembled in the 1960s, later inherited by the previous owner (K.V.D., Belgium).\u003cbr\u003eUnique Identifier: R-254-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\u003eOpen rings that are broadest at the front and taper towards free, sometimes overlapping ends form a well-documented medieval family, comparable to the broad-middle rings with open ends in Sedova's typology. Most were hammered from a thin strip of metal and bent round. 'Wistanoc' most likely dates from the 10th–13th century. With no bezel or seal face, such a band was everyday ornament, not a seal. Punched circles already decorate some of the earliest dated rings of this family, and twisted-wire rings and their cast copies were among the commonest rings of these centuries, so a cord pattern was a familiar look.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith nothing more than small punches, a simple bronze band gained the look of twisted cord and circles long read as a guard against harm.\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":63679893045578,"sku":"R-254-B","price":260.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/medieval-bronze-ring-wistanoc-three-quarter-view-showing-raised-transverse-bar-a-1.jpg?v=1790374166","url":"https:\/\/auroraantiqua.com\/products\/medieval-bronze-ring-wistanoc-10th-13th-c-transverse-bar-punched-ornament","provider":"Aurora Antiqua","version":"1.0","type":"link"}