ITEM: Ring with monogram
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Byzantine
PERIOD: 5th - 7th Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 25 mm diameter
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex English private collection, collected before 1990s

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 4 to 6 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the amount of the sale, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

The use of monograms on rings became a prevalent form of religious expression and identification. These monograms typically consisted of intertwined letters or symbols, often forming abbreviations or representations of important religious phrases or figures. One of the most common monograms found on Byzantine rings during this period was the Chi-Rho symbol, which combined the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ, ??????? (Chi [?] and Rho [?]). The Chi-Rho symbol was closely associated with the Emperor Constantine and became an emblem of Christianity following his conversion and subsequent adoption of the symbol.

The use of monograms on Byzantine rings served multiple purposes. Firstly, they acted as potent symbols of Christian faith, encapsulating the essence of Christian beliefs and serving as personal declarations of devotion to Christ. Secondly, these monograms often functioned as protective talismans, believed to ward off evil and provide spiritual defense for the wearer. As such, Byzantine individuals would wear rings adorned with monograms as both expressions of their faith and as tangible aids in their spiritual lives, reflecting the intertwined nature of religion and daily life in Byzantine society.

Moreover, Byzantine rings featuring monograms were not merely religious artifacts but also held socio-political significance. The use of imperial monograms, such as those representing the reigning emperor or members of the imperial family, on rings served to align the wearer with the ruling powers and affirm loyalty to the Byzantine state.

Good condition

2.5 x 2.5 cm