The Ancient 9th - 11th Century Gold Michael Ring

When you wished to seal a letter, the seal you used was your mark, a signature unique to you. However as society advanced and the population grew in the Byzantine Empire more people meant that signet rings with similar symbols became more common. With the growth of the Byzantine capital, neutral signet themes gradually began to be replaced by a new, distinctively post-classical sealing device; the personal monogram.

Here the inscription of the ring offers the interpretation of the name MICHAIL (Michael). When used to seal the ring's letters are mirrored so one would see an M to the left, with a central I that also has feet as if it were a person, and a head made of the X, the right arm stretches out to form part of the H.

The shoulders of this ring are a heart knot motif symbolising enduring love. This ring is in very fine condition for its age. Weight approximately 10.4g.

Size N UK/AU, 6½ US/CA, 54 FR/RU, 17 DE

Provenance: From the property of a London, UK, gentleman; formerly in a Swiss collection in the 1990s. This ring has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10635-174515.

Documentation: This ring includes independent specialist report and valuation by graduate gemologist and jewellery expert Anna Rogers, GIA GG, BA, Gem-A

Important Notes: This item is excluded from our Free Resizing service. As an ancient artefact we will not alter it.