BYZANTINE GOLD AND NIELLO RING WITH SEATED CHRIST AND INSCRIPTION

Ca. AD 600. A gold ring with a rounded hoop and moulded shoulders supporting a circular bezel engraved with Christ enthroned and inlaid with niello, depicted with a cross nimbus and flanked by the abbreviated Greek inscription IC XC NI KA, meaning "Jesus Christ conquers". For similar see: The British Museum, Museum number AF.232. Size: D:16.1mm / US: 5 1/2 / UK: K 1/2; Weight: 13.3g Provenance: Private London collection; acquired in Germany; formerly with S.T. collection, Switzerland, 1980s-2000s. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.