Opal ring from Novo Brdo and gemstone rings in the late Middle Ages

Abstract

Rings made entirely of one piece of gemstone are a rarity in medieval jewellery. One such ring, made of opal, was discovered during the most recent archaeological excavations in Novo Brdo, in a layer above the floor in a house near the north-eastern ramparts of the lower town, which was formed during the second half of the 14th century. This paper will examine the circumstances of the finding of the ring, the technical details of its production and the marks that appeared during use, i.e. wearing. Another ring of the same type, but made of carnelian, had been previously discovered in the area of the Novo Brdo Cathedral. In addition to the two mentioned, more specimens are known, among them several from archaeological contexts. This interesting group of rings raises questions about possible models, sources of raw materials, method of production, symbolism, as well as about the skill of the master jeweller and the requirements of the customers. In addition, special attention will be paid to the technical aspects of the production, as one of the possible ways to establish a more precise chronological framework for jewellery rings, as well as to better understand the social and cultural contexts in the Middle Ages.