6th-7th century AD. A silver ring consisting of a narrow hoop and a round bezel engraved with the image of Archangel Michael, facing with a halo around his locks, holding the cross standard (Stavros) in his right hand, wearing a jewelled pectoral loros garment. Cf. Gonosova, A., Kondoleon, C., Art of Late Rome and Byzantium in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, 1994, fig.9, for a similar ring with eagle on the bezel. 3.81 grams, 25.62mm overall, 20.30mm internal diameter (approximate size British V, USA 10 1/2, Europe 23.77, Japan 22) (1"). Property of a gentleman from Vienna; from his private collection formed since 1970. Rings with plain round hoops and flat bezels, round or oval or variously decorated, were in use mainly in the 6th and 7th centuries AD. [No Reserve] For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price