Absolutely outstanding Byzantine /early Medieval Gnostic ABRAXAS Silver Ring

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Absolutely outstanding Byzantine /early Medieval Gnostic ABRAXAS Silver Ring :
$353.55

Unique Byzantine or early Medieval Gnostic Amulet Abraxas silver ring. The ring consisting of a small flat band rounded from the outside and soldered to the round plate. The bezel depicting the cock-headed Abraxas with snake legs holding in one hand a whip and in the other one a shield. Below is a moon, right and left are seven stars engraved. Above the shield are the letters IAWstill very faintly visible.

Abraxas was a word of mystic meaning in the system of the Gnostic Basilides, being there applied to the “Great Archon” , the princeps of the 365 spheres (Gk., The seven letters spelling its name may represent each of the seven classic planets—Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

The word is found in Gnostic texts such as the Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit, and also appears in the Greek Magical Papyri. It was engraved on certain antique gemstones, called on that account Abraxas stones, which were used as amulets or charms. As the initial spelling on stones was \'Abrasax\' (Αβρασαξ), the spelling of \'Abraxas\' seen today probably originates in the confusion made between the Greek letters Sigma and Xi in the Latin transliteration. The word may be related to Abracadabra, although other explanations exist.

approx.9.-11. C. AD
weight 5.6 grams
size 17.5 mm , US 7.25, UK N
Origin Germany (ex private German collection)
condition description:worn ring with traces and scratches and a deeper nick at bottom of hoop. Silver partially roughened by long storage under the earth. Engraving and inscription with abrasion. Decoration around band nearly completely rubbed off. Item is not finally cleaned preserving origin condition and patina. Material tested for silver.
We herewith certify that according to our knowledge and belief the item offered is from the period given. All artifacts are material tested.Payment Instructions: Outside Europe PAYPAL payment accepted. European buyers with Euro currency are requested to pay by bank transfer only. Other payment terms on request before end of sale. Payment must be received within 3 days after sale end. If payment isn\'t received within 3 days, the sale will b revoked and a NON-PAYING buyer alert will be filed.We cannot be held responsible for items lost or damaged in the post if insurance has not been purchased.Therefore, we included insurance fees in our shipping costs as does not offer any possibility to invoice them extra. On our own behalf:
Over the last months I have contacted by a few of my clients that a German gem cutter selling on USA medieval things and more, almost copies all of my sold antique rings and sells them as real . Copyright for antique items are not there. But everyone knows that a rare item can not be offered more often after a short time. And if they do, then it may be just a replica!
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