Byzantine Silver Ring - with Red Glass Bezel (No reserve price)

Ancient Byzantine Silver Ring with Red Glass Bezel, 13th-15th C AD

This rare ancient Byzantine silver ring, dating to the 6th–12th century AD, features a sturdy band with a large oval bezel set with a vibrant red glass stone, mimicking precious gems like carnelian or garnet. The substantial size and simple yet elegant design suggest it could have been worn by a member of the Byzantine elite or even a Crusader knight during the overlapping period of the Crusades (11th–13th century), blending functional jewelry with symbolic protection.

Symbolism & Historical Significance:
Red Glass Bezel: In Byzantine culture, red stones or glass insets symbolized vitality, divine favor, and protection, often associated with Christian themes like the blood of Christ or apotropaic wards against evil. Glass was a common substitute for rarer gems, reflecting the empire's advanced glassmaking techniques inherited from Roman traditions.

Such rings embodied status, faith, and resilience, worn as talismans during an era of religious fervor, imperial expansion, and conflicts like the Crusades, where Byzantine influences mingled with Western European styles in the Holy Land.

Connection to the Byzantine Empire and Crusades:
Crafted in the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire, rings of this type were prevalent among nobility, clergy, and soldiers, with similar examples found in excavations from Constantinople to the Levant. The potential Crusader attribution arises from the period's cultural exchanges, where Western knights adopted Byzantine jewelry forms during their campaigns (1095–1291 AD), using them as personal adornments or protective amulets amid warfare and pilgrimage.

Condition:
Intact with a natural patina and minor encrustation from age, preserving the red glass bezel securely; the silver or silver billon shows light wear consistent with ancient use, enhancing its historical authenticity.

Dimensions:
Inner Diameter: 21 mm
Weight: 8.16 g

Provenance:
Sourced from the Mediterranean region and previously part of a private European collection, established in the 1980s. A provenance document and declaration of legal origin are available in PDF format upon request.

Note: Please examine the provided images for a detailed impression of the ring. The photos are highly magnified to showcase the details the best way possible; otherwise, the piece is even more beautiful and attractive in person.