An early Christian gold marriage ring.

5th century A.D.

Bezel diam. 12 mm; ring size 14 x 17 mm; 10,56 gr.

With plain circular hoop, expanding into a circular massive bezel with engraved design; a double portrait with inscriptions (partial erased). A man on the left and a woman on the right in frontal view. On top, a cross (partially consumed). Below, an inscription rends OMONOIA (harmony). Parallel: for two similar examples in the Dumbarton Oaks collection, Washington D.C., see A. Lazaridou, Transition to Christianity, Art of Late Antiquity, 3rd-7th Century AD, 2011, p. 110, nos 59 and 60, S. Zwain explains "OMONOIA is the most frequent inscription on marriage rings of this period.

Provenance: UK private collection.

Estimate: GBP 1500 - 2500