Ave!

Archers Thumb Ring, ca. 8th-12th Cent

Copper alloy; 37mm/12.3gm

Con/ As Cast; engraved with dark brown patina

Prov/ Ex David Macdonald collection

Seller's Note/ After the invading waves of mounted steppe tribes, Huns, Avars, et al, the Roman Byzantine empire was forced to change their strategy from foot troops to swift-moving mounted legions carrying spears and bow and arrows.

Our thumb ring has what appears to be an engraved Fleur-di-lis (lily flower. As the lily flower has three petals, the Byzantines associated it with the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. If so, this is Byzantine in origin, rather than, Hunnish, Avar or Mongol.