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Early Byzantine Gilded Bronze Ring with Greek Inscription – “Stephanos” (5th–7th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75
  • Early Byzantine Gilded Bronze Ring with Greek Inscription – “Stephanos” (5th–7th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75
  • Early Byzantine Gilded Bronze Ring with Greek Inscription – “Stephanos” (5th–7th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75
  • Early Byzantine Gilded Bronze Ring with Greek Inscription – “Stephanos” (5th–7th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75
  • Early Byzantine Gilded Bronze Ring with Greek Inscription – “Stephanos” (5th–7th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75
  • Early Byzantine Gilded Bronze Ring with Greek Inscription – “Stephanos” (5th–7th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75
  • Early Byzantine Gilded Bronze Ring with Greek Inscription – “Stephanos” (5th–7th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75
  • Early Byzantine Gilded Bronze Ring with Greek Inscription – “Stephanos” (5th–7th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75
  • Early Byzantine Gilded Bronze Ring with Greek Inscription – “Stephanos” (5th–7th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75
  • Early Byzantine Gilded Bronze Ring with Greek Inscription – “Stephanos” (5th–7th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75
  • Early Byzantine Gilded Bronze Ring with Greek Inscription – “Stephanos” (5th–7th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75
  • Early Byzantine Gilded Bronze Ring with Greek Inscription – “Stephanos” (5th–7th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75
  • Early Byzantine Gilded Bronze Ring with Greek Inscription – “Stephanos” (5th–7th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75
Early Byzantine Gilded Bronze Ring with Greek Inscription – “Stephanos” (5th–7th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75

Early Byzantine Gilded Bronze Ring with Greek Inscription – “Stephanos” (5th–7th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75

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€900,00

Material:

  • Bronze

Era:

  • Byzantine Empire

Rarity:

  • Legendary
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14-day return policy
Description

A cast bronze ring of the Early Byzantine period featuring a circular bezel that originally carried a gilded surface. The bezel is engraved with a sequence of Greek letters arranged across the face in angular capital forms characteristic of Late Antique and early Byzantine epigraphy. Distinct triangular and lambda shaped characters are visible, reflecting writing styles used in the eastern Mediterranean during the early centuries of the Byzantine Empire. Additional engraved letters appear on the shoulders of the hoop, indicating that the inscription likely continued beyond the central bezel. Traces of original gilding survive, suggesting the ring was designed to imitate the appearance and prestige of gold jewellery.

Details
Material: Bronze with traces of gilding
Date: Early Byzantine, 5th–7th century AD
Ring Size: EU 51 / US 5.75
Provenance: Private Belgian collection, assembled before the 1960s
Unique Identifier: R-180-S
Condition: Very good, with stable patina and visible traces of original gilding, engraving softened slightly through age

Restoration and Authenticity
Offered in original, untouched condition with stable patina and no modern repairs.
A Certificate of Authenticity is included.

Historical Context
In the early Byzantine world, inscribed rings formed an important category of personal jewellery and devotional objects. Greek was the primary written language of the Byzantine Empire, and rings frequently carried short inscriptions that expressed identity, ownership, or religious sentiment. Some examples contained abbreviated invocations or protective formulas reflecting the strong role of Christianity in everyday life. Gilded bronze rings offered the visual richness of gold while remaining accessible to a broader social range, and they were worn by individuals across the Byzantine provinces as both ornaments and symbolic expressions of faith and identity.
Care

To maintain the beauty and integrity of your purchase, we recommend treating it with care. Simple maintenance practices, such as gentle washing and proper storage, can effectively preserve the longevity of your favorites. We encourage you to refer to the care instructions included with each item, designed to help you keep your purchase in top condition.
Authenticity

Each artifact we offer has been carefully examined by qualified professionals to ensure its authenticity. Our assessment considers historical style, craftsmanship, materials, and the wider typology of comparable pieces.

Because historical scholarship evolves, we offer a lifelong authenticity guarantee: if two independent, accredited laboratories ever determine that an item is not genuine, we will refund you in full.
What size is this ring?

The EU size of this ring is: 51

The US size of this ring is: 5,75


You can find information about ring sizes and how to determine your own, here.
Delivery Times & Processing

We prepare and ship most orders within 2–5 business days.

Delivery times depend on your location:

  • EU orders: usually arrive within 1–5 business days.
  • Non-EU orders: shipping typically takes 3–14 business days once dispatched.
  • Export documents: Some antiquities require official export paperwork before shipping, which can take 2–8 weeks depending on the item and the issuing authority.

All orders are fully insured and you will receive tracking information as soon as your shipment is on its way.

Provenance and authenticity documentation available for every piece.

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