6th-7th century A.D. A silver ring with circular hoop, a round bezel bearing two imperial busts, both wearing a chlamys and tunic, flanking a sceptre and positioned over a shell-like decoration. 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.199ff, for the type of ring, especially no.29. 2.14 grams, 21.59 mm overall, 18.94 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14) (7/8 in.) UK private collection before 2000. UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. The iconography of the ring follows the official one of imperial dualism, visible on the coins in which Emperor Augustus is flanked by the Caesar, both with the symbols of the military and universal power of the Dominus (here the paludamentum and the sceptre). [No Reserve]

Fine condition.