{"product_id":"ancient-blue-glass-ring-seljuk-high-carat-gold","title":"Ancient Dark Blue Glass Ring","description":"\u003cdiv\u003eA highly unusual \u003cstrong\u003ehigh-karat gold ring set with an ancient dark blue glass fragment\u003c\/strong\u003e, its precise date and origin remaining something of an enigma.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe 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 \u003cstrong\u003emedieval Islamic and Seljuk rings of the 10th–12th centuries\u003c\/strong\u003e, particularly in its tall architectural setting and high-purity gold.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eMost intriguing are the engraved characters running around the sides of the bezel, apparently derived from \u003cstrong\u003eArabic script\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eWhatever its exact history, it is an exceptionally unusual object: substantial at \u003cstrong\u003e8.45g\u003c\/strong\u003e, testing as approximately \u003cstrong\u003e22K gold\u003c\/strong\u003e, and preserving a genuinely ancient material within an enigmatic gold mount.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e uncertain, possibly medieval or later\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Near East \/ Central Asia\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e 22K gold and ancient blue glass\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRing size:\u003c\/strong\u003e UK S \/ US 9\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBezel:\u003c\/strong\u003e approx. 12 × 10mm\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight from finger:\u003c\/strong\u003e approx. 8mm\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.45g\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good historic condition, with expected surface wear and weathering to the ancient glass.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Ravensbury Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49308708995380,"sku":"1017810350","price":2963.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0708\/6784\/5428\/files\/DSC_1513_4258986.jpg?v=1790890047","url":"https:\/\/ravensburyantiques.com\/en-de\/products\/ancient-blue-glass-ring-seljuk-high-carat-gold","provider":"Ravensbury Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}