Byzantine Era Bronze Ring with Rosette Star Motif, symbolising divine order, protection and cosmic harmony A solid bronze ring featuring a raised oval bezel engraved with a stylised six-petalled rosette or star-like motif, enclosed within a circular border. The shoulders of the ring are decorated with short vertical incised lines, framing the central bezel and enhancing its symbolic prominence. The band is thick and robust, tapering slightly towards the back, indicative of functional, everyday wear rather than purely decorative intent. The rosette motif is a long-established symbolic element in Byzantine and Late Antique visual culture. It is commonly interpreted as a symbol of divine order, celestial harmony, and protection, often associated with the sun, sacred geometry, and the idea of cosmic balance governed by divine will. In Byzantine Christian contexts, such star or rosette forms could also function as abstracted representations of divine light or God’s omnipresence, deliberately avoiding figural imagery. The incised linear decoration on the shoulders may represent stylised rays or protective markings, visually supporting the central symbol and reinforcing the ring’s apotropaic function. Rings of this type were widely worn by civilians, soldiers, and administrators alike, serving not only as personal adornment but also as protective talismans believed to guard the wearer against misfortune and spiritual harm. The surface exhibits a well-developed dark brown to green patina with areas of smoothing and wear consistent with long-term use and burial. The engraving remains clearly legible despite historical abrasion, suggesting careful craftsmanship and intentional durability. Measurements Height: 21 mm Outer Diameter: 19 mm Inner Diameter: 16 mm Material Bronze (copper alloy) Symbolism Rosette / Star Motif: Divine order, cosmic harmony, protection, sacred geometry Circular Bezel: Eternity, unity, unbroken divine presence Linear Shoulder Decoration: Radiance, guarding forces, symbolic framing Such rings are characteristic of Byzantine-period personal objects that merge spiritual symbolism with practical daily use, reflecting a worldview in which faith, protection, and identity were inseparable from material culture.