Early medieval Silver Significant Ring with Greek inscriptions ΒΕΛΑ ΔΟΥΛΗ ΧΟ in Niello and a Cross on the Rhombic Bezel.

Early medieval Silver Ring with Greek inscriptions (three lines) ΒΕΛΑ ΔΟΥΛΗ ΧΟ in Niello and a Cross on the Rhombic Bezel. Floral motifs in the sam Niello technique form the elegant decoration bellow the bezel. Highly interesting personal ring insribed with a name of Bela which is typical hungarian name but put on the typical Byzantine ring with in greek language. That is strang at first look but it has to be kept in mind that in this the relationships between the Byzantine and the Hungarian courts were more than Friendly and even this two empires have made several dynastic marriages like Geza I, Ishtvan IV and prince Geza (the Son of Geza II) married byzantine princesses, while Piroska married John Komnenos and Bella III 's daughter Margit married the emperor Isaac II Angelos (1185-1195 and 1203-1204 his second reign) in 1186! Maybe this ring was a present for some member or relative to the royal dinasty or just a member of some delegation or or from the entourage of Margit. The formula ΔΟΥΛΗ ΧΟ could be translated as Servant of Christ and the cross clearly shows the religious element giving the religious character of the ring aimed to protect the owner! The floral motifs are symbolizing the paradise and are slightly worn. Slightly crystalized surface, otherwise very well preserved and still wearable! Exceedingly rare. Material: Silver Date: 12th.
-13th. Century AD. Dimensions: 2,1cm. (ID. 1,6cm.) Item No. X59 Purchased by the current owner in 2014 in Austria, Wien from Collector fair. Collected Since: 1970's. Previous owners history: Old Austrian Private Collection. The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally , provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.