RARE BYZANTINE GOLD RING WITH THE TETRAMORPH OF THE FOUR EVANGELISTS AND CRUCIFORM MONOGRAM

Ca. AD 600. A gold ring with a broad circular bezel engraved with a cruciform monogram within a beaded border. The surrounding field is decorated with the Tetramorph, comprising the eagle of St John above, the winged man of St Matthew below, the lion of St Mark at left and the ox of St Luke at right. The bezel is set on a rounded hoop with clustered granules at the shoulders. Size: D:21.69mm / US: 12 3/8 / UK: Y 1/2; Weight: 12.5g 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.