6th-8th century AD. A silver ring comprising a round-section hoop and ellipsoid gold bezel with inset jasper cloison, intaglio advancing sphinx with one foreleg resting on a rosette. Cf. Chadour, A.B. Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 478. 4.15 grams, 21.32mm overall, 16.09x13.61mm internal diameter (approximate size British H 1/2, USA 4, Europe 6.81, Japan 6) (3/4"). Property of a Mayfair lady; formerly in an important London collection formed since 1965. Fine condition.