1002
Byzantine gold ring
Byzantium, approx. 550-650 AD
gold; hammered ring with 8-folded ring plate; in the centre probably Saint George with halo, a spear in his right and a shield in his left hand; fremed by an inscription consisting of 11 letters: "+K. VPIE. BOIIOI." for "Lord help."
dm. 1.9 cm (ring); dm. 1.2 cm (plate); 3.5 g
Provenance
collection C. p. Munich, no. 950
Exhibition
Munich, Praehistorische Staatssammlung, 20. October 1998 - 14. Februar 1999
Freising, Diözesanmuseum, 20. Mai - 21. October 2001
Literature
Wamser und Zahlhaas 1198, p. 225-226, no. 3
Hahn et al. 2001, p. 143-144, no. II.13
Estimate: € 5.000 - 10.000
Result: € 5.120 (incl. fees)
Auction is closed.
Though no name is given, the ring most likely depicts Saint George, known as the "holy martyr", one of Byzantium's most popular warrior saints. According to legend George was born of Christian parents and became a Roman soldier before his martyrdom. He appears frequently, sometimes slaying a dragon, on Byzantine frescoes, mosaics, as well as small-scale amulets or devotional objects like this one as the protector from the dangers of combat.