BYZANTINE HIGH KARAT GOLD AND NIELLO RING WITH THE VIRGIN MARY AND THE CHILD Ca. AD 800 - 900 . A solid gold hoop that broadens slightly at the shoulders, decorated with irregular circular elements. The flat bezel is engraved with the standing figure of the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, both filled with niello. The figures are rendered in simplified linear silhouette, with the Virgin shown in frontal posture and the Child positioned to her left. For similar see: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Object Number: 10.130.1511. Size: D:14.88mm / US: 3 3/4 / UK: H; Weight: 6g Provenance: Private UK collection; formerly in a 1980s-1990s London collection. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.