Medieval Ring with Bull's Head (No reserve price)
17
days
02
hours
07
minutes
20
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 180 - € 220
No bids placed
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Medieval bronze ring with a circular bezel depicting a front-facing bull’s head, dating to the 13th–15th century AD, in good wearable condition with a dark patina.
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 bronze ring with a circular bezel decorated with a stylised representation of a bull’s head. The head is depicted frontally, with prominent curved horns sweeping outward and upward with a crescent shape in between. Plain ring band.
-> Rings with animal-head motifs were worn as personal ornaments during the medieval period and sometimes functioned as simple signet devices.
Outside diameter: ± 23 mm
Inside diameter: ± 19,1 - 15,6 mm
Bezel: ± 16,3 mm
Condition: good solid condition, wearable. Dark patina and signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Many ancient peoples respected the bull as a symbol of strength and fertility. Their size, power and potency have impressed man for many thousands of years.
During the Medieval period bulls also appear in heraldry and personal emblems, where they conveyed qualities such as courage, determination, and authority. On jewellery and seals, a bull motif could function as a personal or family symbol.
In Christian iconography the bull (or ox) is traditionally linked to Saint Luke the Evangelist. The ox symbolises sacrifice and service, reflecting the emphasis in the Gospel of Luke on Christ’s sacrificial role.
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 bronze ring with a circular bezel decorated with a stylised representation of a bull’s head. The head is depicted frontally, with prominent curved horns sweeping outward and upward with a crescent shape in between. Plain ring band.
-> Rings with animal-head motifs were worn as personal ornaments during the medieval period and sometimes functioned as simple signet devices.
Outside diameter: ± 23 mm
Inside diameter: ± 19,1 - 15,6 mm
Bezel: ± 16,3 mm
Condition: good solid condition, wearable. Dark patina and signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Many ancient peoples respected the bull as a symbol of strength and fertility. Their size, power and potency have impressed man for many thousands of years.
During the Medieval period bulls also appear in heraldry and personal emblems, where they conveyed qualities such as courage, determination, and authority. On jewellery and seals, a bull motif could function as a personal or family symbol.
In Christian iconography the bull (or ox) is traditionally linked to Saint Luke the Evangelist. The ox symbolises sacrifice and service, reflecting the emphasis in the Gospel of Luke on Christ’s sacrificial role.
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
Century/timeframe
13th-15th century AD
Name of object
Ring with Bull's Head
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2026
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
