BYZANTINE GOLD AND NIELLO RING WITH MONOGRAM

Ca. AD 600. A gold ring with a broad hoop bordered by beading and decorated along the centre with a continuous series of raised chevrons. Above the hoop is a high circular bezel with a flaring conical base, its flat face inlaid in niello with a cruciform monogram composed of intersecting Greek letters. For similar see: The British Museum, Museum number AF.252. Size: D:16.71mm / US: 6 1/4 / UK: M; Weight: 9.7g Provenance: Private London collection; previously acquired from a Belgian collection (1980s-1990s). This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.