Ring

Anglo-Saxon

British Museum

9th Century

The central bezel depicts a winged and haloed bust holding a book with the right hand raised in a gesture signifying speech or blessing; this may represent the archangel Michael, or possibly the evangelist St Matthew. There is a six petalled rosette either side of the bezel and the rest of the hoop contains equal-armed crosses.

• Medium: gold
• Dimensions: diameter: 2.15cm
• Art Fund Grant: £5000 ( Total: £17,000)
• ArtFunded in: 2005
• Vendor: Les Enluminures Ltd

Provenance

Private collector, USA; Les Enluminures Ltd, Chicago. Previous history unknown but most likely an illegal export from England to the United States.

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