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 Crusader era, silver finger ring with a broad, rounded hoop expanding into a flattened oval bezel. The bezel is decorated with six punched/ engraved circles, arranged in the form of a simple Latin cross. The design is deliberately minimal, relying on repeated circles rather than engraved lines. Outside diameter: ± 20,9 mm Inside diameter: ± 18,1 x 15 mm Bezel: ± 9,5 mm Good solid condition and wearable. The silver displays an attractive aged surface with dark toning, minor irregularities 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. -> The cross was one of the most widely used symbols in Medieval personal jewellery. On rings it could express Christian faith, serve as a protective sign or identify the wearer with a religious community. Simple punched decoration was economical to produce but visually effective, and the repeated circular impressions caught the light while creating a clearly recognisable cruciform pattern. -> The Latin cross, characterised by a long vertical shaft intersected by a shorter horizontal arm positioned above the centre, appears in Christian art towards the end of Late Antiquity. Its distinctive proportions came to represent Christianity and Christendom as a whole. Many medieval churches were designed according to the Latin cross plan; when viewed from above, the ground plan mirrors this form. One of the earliest and most influential examples in Europe is Old St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, begun around 319 AD. During the first centuries AD, Christian symbols were worshipped and worn discreetly. After Christianity was adopted as the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 AD, the cross became a prominent and openly displayed symbol. It offered comfort and spiritual reassurance in times of hardship, particularly during the Crusades and the recurrent pandemics that affected medieval Europe. To this day, Christians continue to wear crosses and sacred pendants close to the heart as tangible expressions of faith and of God’s presence in their lives. Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics. Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material. Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.