MEROVINGIAN GOLD OPENWORK RING WITH DARK STONE

Ca. AD 400 - 600. A gold ring with a broad openwork hoop of foliate design bordered by coiled wire. Applied to the hoop is a square bezel set with a dark stone cabochon, surrounded by a radiating border of leaf-shaped elements. For similar see: J. Spier, Byzantium and the West Jewelry in the First Millennium, Cat. 8. Size: D:19.56mm / US: 9 3/4 / UK: T; Weight: 8.6g Provenance: Private London collection of an art professional; acquired on the UK and European art markets between 1980s to early 2000s. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.