BYZANTINE HIGH KARAT GOLD RING WITH RED GARNET INTAGLIO DEPICTING CHI-RHO Ca. AD 400 - 600 . A rectangular garnet intaglio engraved with the Chi-Rho christogram, composed of the superimposed Greek letters Χ (Chi) and Ρ (Rho) forming a monogram of Christ. The vertical stroke of the rho intersects the centre of the chi, creating a cruciform arrangement. The symbol is flanked diagonally by the Greek letters Α (Alpha) and Ω (Omega) - referencing the passage from the Book of Revelation ('I am the Alpha and the Omega') and signifying Christ as the beginning and the end. The intaglio is set in a slightly raised bezel mounted within a gold hoop, which thickens at the shoulders. Reviewed by Sami Fortune, an ancient jewellery specialist. For similar see: J. Spier, 2012, Byzantium and the West: Jewelry in the First Millennium, Preface, p.1. Size: D:14.07mm / US: 2 7/8 / UK: F; Weight: 4g 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.