RARE BYZANTINE HIGH KARAT GOLD AND NIELLO RING WITH BUST OF CHRIST AND CROSSES. Ca. AD 600 - 700 A gold and niello ring with an expanded oval bezel engraved with the bust of Christ, nimbate and draped, holding a closed book to the chest. The bezel broadens smoothly from a rounded hoop that narrows to the back, the shoulders engraved with small crosses. Size: D:16.92mm / US: 6 1/2 / UK: M 1/2; Weight: 7g. 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.