Billon ring with the Stars of Bethlehem motif. Mesurments:9.96g.20.5mm. Composition: billon is a low-silver alloy — historically silver mixed with a base metal (usually copper, sometimes zinc . Silver content typically ranges from a few percent up to ~40–50% in rarer examples; many historic pieces sit at the lower end (single-digit to ~20% Ag). Betlehem star In the Christian tradition, the Star of Bethlehem, also called the Christmas Star, revealed the birth of Jesus to the Biblical Magi, and later led them to Bethlehem. The star appears only in the nativity story of the Gospel of Matthew, where magi "from the east" are inspired by the star to travel to Jerusalem. There they meet King Herod of Judea, and ask where the king of the Jews has been born. Herod, following a verse from the book of Micah interpreted as a prophecy, directs them to Bethlehem, a nearby village. The star leads them to the stable where Jesus was born in Bethlehem, where they worship him, and give him gifts. It is a symbol often depicted on rings and jewellery during the Medieval period, and was especially popular during the Crusader period, when faithful Christians from Western Europe undertook military expeditions in response to centuries of Muslim wars of expansion in the Holy Lands. Measurements:18.5mm., 6.55g. Provence acquired object in 1995 In the London art market Previous private English collection The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. A provenance statement was seen by Catawiki. The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, a provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important info. The Seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. THE Seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days. For shipment between the UK and the EU no export permit is needed but some import taxes may apply. The seller guarantees to have acquired this lot by legal means and he has the proper permits. The seller will inform the buyer about this if acquiring the proper permits and shipping the lot takes more than a few days