Medieval Bronze Signet Ring – AD 1000 to 1400 – 24x17 mm – 5.70 g This robust medieval signet ring features a solid oval bezel engraved with a faint but discernible central motif, possibly a letter or heraldic emblem, now partially obscured by age and corrosion. The shank is thick and complete, displaying surface encrustations and a dark green patina typical of prolonged burial in European soil. Signet rings were widely used in the medieval period not only as personal ornaments but also as practical tools for sealing documents and asserting identity or authority. The substantial form and wear of this example suggest it belonged to an individual of moderate status, likely a merchant, landholder, or minor noble. • Material: Bronze • Dimensions: 24 × 17 mm (height × inner diameter) • Weight: 5.70 g • Date: ca. AD 1000–1400 • Condition: Very good condition, with stable patina, minor surface pitting, and encrustation consistent with age A well-preserved medieval artifact, emblematic of the intersection between personal identity and administrative practice in medieval Europe. Provenance: Acquired from an auction house in 2025, previously owned by a collector from the South of Germany, acquired in the 1980s.