6th-10th century AD. A gold ring with tapering, flat-bottomed hoop and expanding shoulders; 'square' bezel with rounded corners featuring an incuse scene of a winged and nimbate saint standing on a ground-line, possibly John the Evangelist, tending to a Christian cross; an eagle stands facing, holding a leafy branch in its beak; numerous crosses in the field. 11.13 grams, 23.82mm overall, 18.20mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14) (1"). Property of a London lady, part of her family's collection; acquired in the 1970s; accompanied an independent specialist report and valuation by graduate gemmologist and jewellery expert Anna Rogers, GIA GG, BA, Gem-A, ref. no.167657/7/10/2020; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10144-167657. [a video of this item will be available on Timeline Auctions website.]