Medieval Bronze Red Central Stone and Decorated ring (No reserve price)

A piece of the past, created to be carried

Medieval Bronze Ring – An Impressive Collector’s Piece with a Red Central Stone and Decorated Shoulders

Culture: Medieval
Period: Middle Ages
Date: ca. 14th–17th century AD
Object Type: Decorated ring with a red stone
Material: Bronze; red stone of undetermined type
Form: Raised oval setting, broad decorated shoulders and closed hoop
Technique: Cast metal body; engraved circular decoration and a red stone mounted in the setting
Symbolism: An elaborate personal ornament; interpreted within the context of status and representation
Condition: Body very well preserved; hoop, setting and shoulder decoration remain distinct; surface wear and small pits on the red stone, with brown and greenish patina on the metal

Height: 29.25 mm ±
Outer Diameter: 23.15 mm ±
Inner Diameter: 21.02 mm ±
Weight: 8.85 g ±

EU: 66 ±
UK: W½ ±
US: 11½ ±

Description

With its raised oval setting and broadening decorated shoulders, this medieval bronze ring possesses a strong visual character. The central red stone creates a striking colour combination with the brown and greenish patina of the bronze body. Circular motifs across the shoulders and around the setting, together with small projections, emphasise the design’s volume. The preserved integrity of the closed hoop and decorated body allows detailed appreciation of its form and workmanship.

Within medieval jewellery culture, stone-set rings were associated with personal adornment, social status, prestige and representation. This piece’s prominent setting and elaborate shoulders can be considered through concepts of visibility and prestige valued in noble circles. This cultural connection does not constitute an ownership record establishing use by a particular noble.

Medieval rings with oval settings and red central elements in the Metropolitan Museum of Art provide a comparative context for making the stone the focal point of a design. The mineral type of this ring’s red stone remains undetermined; surface wear and small pits form part of its present condition. Its preserved hoop, distinct circular ornament and striking colour contrast make it an appealing example for collectors of medieval personal ornaments.

Note

Warm lighting inspired by museum illumination was used to naturally highlight the object’s surface, form, craftsmanship and historical appearance. Suspension cords and other display accessories visible in the photographs serve as presentation aids and are not included in the sale.

★ Please refer to the stated measurements when assessing the actual size. Objects of different dimensions may appear at a similar scale in photographs, so their apparent size in an image does not, by itself, reflect their physical dimensions.

All shipments are fully insured. Differences in shipping charges for certain countries reflect the varying costs of insured delivery to each destination. A printed copy of the Cultural and Iconographic Assessment Certificate can be prepared if requested before dispatch.

Information

The acquisition history of this piece traces back to an auction associated with A.N. Auction House in Germany. The object was acquired in 2026 and transferred to us that same year by its previous owner, N.A., based in the Netherlands.

Archaeological assessment considers material, form and symbols alongside the known find context, comparative examples in museum collections and academic publications. These sources form the basis for evaluation by experienced museum specialists and archaeologists. Descriptions of period, function, symbolic meaning and material likewise constitute academic assessments supported by typological comparisons and expert opinion. Appropriate advanced laboratory analyses may help clarify specific questions concerning material, manufacture and dating; such scientific examinations are conducted separately from, and beyond the scope of, the sales process.

The object has been documented using high-resolution equipment. No intervention has been made to its form or structural integrity; image editing has been restricted to limited color-balance adjustments.

Museum-standard technical photographs can be provided upon request while the auction is ongoing. An expert assessment report and a signed ownership document issued in the buyer’s name can also be supplied in PDF format within 3–5 business days, provided they are requested before shipment.

Scholarly consistency, transparency and good faith are observed throughout the presentation and sales process. No object known to be a copy or imitation is offered for sale.