Medieval inscribed silver annular ring-brooch

Code: 12119

This is a magnificent medieval silver ring brooch, dating to the 12th - 13th century A.D. It is formed from a pierced sheet of silver, cut and pierced. The front is deeply cut/engraved in Lombardic script with AVE MARIA GREI (for Hail Mary full of Grace). The long sword-shaped pin is still sharp and functioning. Such brooches would have been used to secure clothing, before the use of buttons. It is an exceptional example, from a private collection in the Czech Republic. Comparable brooches have been recorded from Northumberland (NCL-9686D8), Ribble Valley (LANCUM-C628C6), and Brighstone (IOW-336352). 

OBJECT: Ring Brooch

CULTURE: Medieval

DATE: c. 1180 - 1280 A.D.

MATERIAL: Silver

SIZE: 54.1mm diameter x 95.4mm (open) x 1.1mm

WEIGHT: 14.88 grams

PROVENANCE: Formerly in a European private collection, Praha, Czech Republic