BYZANTINE HIGH KARAT GOLD RING WITH LAPIS LAZULI INTAGLIO DEPICTING CHRIST Ca. AD 400 - 700. A blue lapis lazuli intaglio engraved with a frontal portrait of Christ with a beard, long hair, and nimbus, enclosed within a circular border. The bezel is set within a stepped, conical-shaped gold mount and is joined to a plain gold hoop. Reviewed by Sami Fortune, an ancient jewellery specialist. For similar see: H. C. Evans and W. D. Wixom, The Glory of Byzantium: Art and Culture of the Middle Byzantine Era, Cats. 127, 128, 131; The British Museum, Museum number AF.224. Size: D:16.1mm / US: 5 1/2 / UK: K 1/2; Weight: 6.6g Provenance: Private UK collection; formerly in the collection of T.A. 1980s-1990s, London. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.