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This unusual antique silver ring set with a medieval Islamic polished blue glass cabochon. The bright blue glass bead has been drilled vertically though the centre and would have originally been used as an amulet bead to be worn on a necklace. The bead would have been made near modern day Iran, and dates from between the 8th and 13th centuries. Very similar examples have been found in excavations of Nisapur (a ’Silk road’ trade route city of Persia during the early and middle Islamic period), and are now on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (see final photo - accession Number: 48.101.90w).
The bead has been set in a later silver ring, probably dating from the 19th century.
The irregularly-shaped glass bead has a particularly smooth surface; any surface dips or historic chips have been smoothed over after what could only be centuries of rubbing and polishing of the surface. It is bezel set in a rub over setting with a simple circular cross-sectioned hoop.
A truly one-of-a-kind ring which would have witnessed an incredible history; if only objects could talk!
UK size S 1/2 , US size 9.25,
The ring weighs 9.33 grams. Blue glass measures 20mm x 16mm x 6mm
Provenance: The ring came from a private collection of early Islamic jewellery, mostly Seljuk dynasty.
This unusual antique silver ring set with a medieval Islamic polished blue glass cabochon. The bright blue glass bead has been drilled vertically though the centre and would have originally been used as an amulet bead to be worn on a necklace. The bead would have been made near modern day Iran, and dates from between the 8th and 13th centuries. Very similar examples have been found in excavations of Nisapur (a ’Silk road’ trade route city of Persia during the early and middle Islamic period), and are now on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (see final photo - accession Number: 48.101.90w).
The bead has been set in a later silver ring, probably dating from the 19th century.
The irregularly-shaped glass bead has a particularly smooth surface; any surface dips or historic chips have been smoothed over after what could only be centuries of rubbing and polishing of the surface. It is bezel set in a rub over setting with a simple circular cross-sectioned hoop.
A truly one-of-a-kind ring which would have witnessed an incredible history; if only objects could talk!
UK size S 1/2 , US size 9.25,
The ring weighs 9.33 grams. Blue glass measures 20mm x 16mm x 6mm
Provenance: The ring came from a private collection of early Islamic jewellery, mostly Seljuk dynasty.
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