Medieval Bronze “The Watchful Eye” — Apotropaic Silver Ring with Red Glass Stone (No reserve price)

04
days
08
hours
43
minutes
02
seconds
Current bid
€ 1
No reserve price
Ruth Garrido Vila
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila

Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.

Estimate  € 150 - € 200
NL
€1

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Description from the seller

A striking silver ring set with a prominent deep red glass cabochon, surrounded by a decorative border of raised granules. The triple-ribbed shoulders give the ring a substantial architectural appearance, while traces of surface oxidation and age-related wear add character to the metal.

The intense red stone forms the visual focus of the ring. In an apotropaic interpretation, such a conspicuous stone may be presented as a symbolic “watchful eye”—a guardian intended to turn away misfortune, envy and unseen harmful influences. Protective eye symbolism has a very long history across Mediterranean and Near Eastern traditions, although the photographs alone cannot establish that this particular ring was specifically intended as an “evil-eye” amulet.

A striking silver ring set with a prominent deep red glass cabochon, surrounded by a decorative border of raised granules. The triple-ribbed shoulders give the ring a substantial architectural appearance, while traces of surface oxidation and age-related wear add character to the metal.

The intense red stone forms the visual focus of the ring. In an apotropaic interpretation, such a conspicuous stone may be presented as a symbolic “watchful eye”—a guardian intended to turn away misfortune, envy and unseen harmful influences. Protective eye symbolism has a very long history across Mediterranean and Near Eastern traditions, although the photographs alone cannot establish that this particular ring was specifically intended as an “evil-eye” amulet.

Details

Culture
Medieval
Century/timeframe
circa 12th–15th century AD
Name of object
“The Watchful Eye” — Apotropaic Silver Ring with Red Glass Stone
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2025
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
2025
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
The NetherlandsVerified
495
Objects sold
94.94%
pro

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