4th-7th century A.D. A ring with D-section hoop and octagonal bezel bearing inscription in four lines in Greek letters '?EY? ?????? ???????'. Cf. Baldini Lippolis, I., L'Oreficeria nell'Impero di Costantinopoli tra IV e VII secolo (the Jewellery in the Empire of Constantinople between IV and VII century, in Italian), Bari, 1999, pp.208ff, for the type of ring. 5.69 grams, 26.54 mm overall, 20.92 mm internal diameter (approximate size British W 1/2, USA 11 1/4, Europe 25.66, Japan 24) (1 in.) English collection formed in the 1990s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman. In early Byzantium, some rings had apotropaic use and bore written inscriptions which could also be found on Byzantine amulets, i.e. portable items for private use, which were addressed to a Christian audience and had a magical character. Very often the combination of letters is incomprehensible.

Fine condition. A large wearable size.