Ancient Dark Blue Glass Ring
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A highly unusual high-karat gold ring set with an ancient dark blue glass fragment, its precise date and origin remaining something of an enigma.The centrepiece is a deep blue-black piece of ancient glass, with areas of surface iridescence consistent with prolonged burial. It is secured within a substantial box-shaped bezel by distinctive wedge-shaped claws. The construction has parallels with medieval Islamic and Seljuk rings of the 10th–12th centuries, particularly in its tall architectural setting and high-purity gold.Most intriguing are the engraved characters running around the sides of the bezel, apparently derived from Arabic script. Their form is unusual compared with the Seljuk rings we have handled, making a precise attribution difficult. The ring may originate from another Near Eastern or Central Asian tradition — potentially further east towards Afghanistan — or represent a somewhat later setting deliberately made to house an earlier piece of glass.Whatever its exact history, it is an exceptionally unusual object: substantial at 8.45g, testing as approximately 22K gold, and preserving a genuinely ancient material within an enigmatic gold mount.Date: uncertain, possibly medieval or laterOrigin: Near East / Central AsiaMaterial: 22K gold and ancient blue glassRing size: UK S / US 9Bezel: approx. 12 × 10mmHeight from finger: approx. 8mmWeight: 8.45gCondition: Good historic condition, with expected surface wear and weathering to the ancient glass.
A highly unusual high-karat gold ring set with an ancient dark blue glass fragment, its precise date and origin remaining something of an enigma.
The centrepiece is a deep blue-black piece of ancient glass, with areas of surface iridescence consistent with prolonged burial. It is secured within a substantial box-shaped bezel by distinctive wedge-shaped claws. The construction has parallels with medieval Islamic and Seljuk rings of the 10th–12th centuries, particularly in its tall architectural setting and high-purity gold.
Most intriguing are the engraved characters running around the sides of the bezel, apparently derived from Arabic script. Their form is unusual compared with the Seljuk rings we have handled, making a precise attribution difficult. The ring may originate from another Near Eastern or Central Asian tradition — potentially further east towards Afghanistan — or represent a somewhat later setting deliberately made to house an earlier piece of glass.
Whatever its exact history, it is an exceptionally unusual object: substantial at 8.45g, testing as approximately 22K gold, and preserving a genuinely ancient material within an enigmatic gold mount.
Date: uncertain, possibly medieval or later
Origin: Near East / Central Asia
Material: 22K gold and ancient blue glass
Ring size: UK S / US 9
Bezel: approx. 12 × 10mm
Height from finger: approx. 8mm
Weight: 8.45g
Condition: Good historic condition, with expected surface wear and weathering to the ancient glass.
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