1000-1500 AD. Medieval. Rare bronze ring with circular hoop bearing extensive engraved decoration and octagonal bezel depicting a scene of the Judgement of Solomon. This story, from the Hebrew Bible saw King Solomon of Israel judge between two women both claiming to be the mother of a child. Solomon resolved the case by suggesting that the baby should be cut in two so that each woman could receive a half-share. By doing this, he was able to tell that the false claimant was the woman who entirely approved of this proposal, while the true mother begged that the child committed to the care of her rival so that the baby was not harmed. The story became a symbol of justice in the Middle Ages. Good condition.Size: D: 21.69mm / US: 12 1/4 / UK: Y 1/2 ; 9.5g; Provenance: From an old British collection, acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s.