Medieval, Crusaders Era Silver Ring with Star of Bethlehem
08
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20
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11
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42
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Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 450 - € 550
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Medieval Crusaders Era silver ring with a raised bezel decorated by a five-point Star of Bethlehem, outer diameter about 24 mm, inner diameter about 20.1–20.5 mm, bezel diameter about 19.3 mm, in good wearable condition from the 12th–13th century, acquired in 2024 from Belgium.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Medieval Crusaders Era, silver ring. The large circular raised bezel is decorated with a 5-pointed Star of Bethlehem with 5 engraved petals. A star in lozenge shape on both sides and bottom of the ring band.
Outside diameter: ± 24 mm
Inside diameter: ± 20,1 - 20,5 mm
Bezel diameter: ± 19,3 mm
Condition: good solid and wearable condition. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
STAR OF BETHLEHEM
Many Christians believe the star was a miraculous sign and it was often claimed that a star fulfilled a prophecy (Star Prophecy). According to the Bible, a bright astronomical object led the Magi from the East to the birthplace of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. During the centuries the Star of Bethlehem was not consistently shown with five rays. Sometimes it is portrayed as a tailed comet, as a diamond-shaped star, or other variations with 6, 8 or 14 rays.
Before the cross, the five-pointed star was a preferred emblem to adorn jewellery and amulets of early Christians and was also associated with the five wounds of Christ.
In the 13th century a military monastic order, known as the Bethlehemites, wore a five-pointed star on the left breast. In the 14th century the order became known as the Knights of the Star of Bethlehem and spread to various parts of Europe in the 14th and 15th century.
MATERIAL
This object has been carefully examined with regard to its material composition and surface characteristics.
Specialised laboratory analysis such as metallurgical testing (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting and is more commonly associated with academic or institutional research.
Destructive testing methods (such as acid testing) permanently damage the object’s surface and are not appropriate for archaeological material.
Historically, modern hallmarking systems did not exist. The alloy composition of gold and silver could vary depending on local resources, trade networks, recycling practices and prevailing economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Medieval Crusaders Era, silver ring. The large circular raised bezel is decorated with a 5-pointed Star of Bethlehem with 5 engraved petals. A star in lozenge shape on both sides and bottom of the ring band.
Outside diameter: ± 24 mm
Inside diameter: ± 20,1 - 20,5 mm
Bezel diameter: ± 19,3 mm
Condition: good solid and wearable condition. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
STAR OF BETHLEHEM
Many Christians believe the star was a miraculous sign and it was often claimed that a star fulfilled a prophecy (Star Prophecy). According to the Bible, a bright astronomical object led the Magi from the East to the birthplace of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. During the centuries the Star of Bethlehem was not consistently shown with five rays. Sometimes it is portrayed as a tailed comet, as a diamond-shaped star, or other variations with 6, 8 or 14 rays.
Before the cross, the five-pointed star was a preferred emblem to adorn jewellery and amulets of early Christians and was also associated with the five wounds of Christ.
In the 13th century a military monastic order, known as the Bethlehemites, wore a five-pointed star on the left breast. In the 14th century the order became known as the Knights of the Star of Bethlehem and spread to various parts of Europe in the 14th and 15th century.
MATERIAL
This object has been carefully examined with regard to its material composition and surface characteristics.
Specialised laboratory analysis such as metallurgical testing (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting and is more commonly associated with academic or institutional research.
Destructive testing methods (such as acid testing) permanently damage the object’s surface and are not appropriate for archaeological material.
Historically, modern hallmarking systems did not exist. The alloy composition of gold and silver could vary depending on local resources, trade networks, recycling practices and prevailing economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Medieval, Crusaders Era
Century/timeframe
12th - 13th century AD
Name of object
Ring with Star of Bethlehem
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2024
Material
Silver
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2024
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
