BYZANTINE HIGH KARAT GOLD OPENWORK RING WITH THE IMPERIAL FAMILY. Ca. AD 600 - 700 A gold openwork ring formed as a band of alternating circular medallions linked by short ribbed bars with disc terminals. The main medallion shows in low relief an imperial couple seated side by side, each draped, with a globus cruciger between them. The remaining medallions are pierced with crosses within beaded borders. Size: D:18.54mm / US: 8 1/2 / UK: Q 1/2; Weight: 8.5g. Provenance: Provenance: Private London collection; previously part of a distinguished New York private collection, assembled between 1975 and 1995. The collection was documented and authenticated in the early 1990s by Dr. Jack Ogden and Barbara Deppert Lippitz, leading specialists in ancient jewellery. A significant number of objects from this collection were published in a professional catalogue, a copy of which is available upon request. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter. This piece is accompanied by an authentication statement by Sami Fortune, ancient jewellery specialist.