Pages: 287-304

The article analyzes a collection of rings with Christian symbols dated by the late 10th — 17th centuries from Kursk region (Russia). Images are divided into several types — people, birds, animals, plants, geometric symbols (pentagram, swastika). Some of these characters are associated with Jesus Christ, some find direct links with biblical scenes. According to the author, most of the rings considered in the paper is of Eastern Christian (Ancient Russia, Byzantium, Balkans) origin, while some of them may be cheap Byzantine decorations. Byzantine inlfuences can be traced until the end of the 17th century. Influence of the Catholic world is less noticeable, and rings with swastika may be such possible borrowing.

Keywords: Kursk Region (Russia), Medieval Ages, Christian symbolism, Russian Orthodox Christianity, Russian jewelry

Information about author:

Andrey Shpilev (Kursk, Russian Federation). Kursk State Regional Museum of Archaeology. Pionerov St., 6, Kursk, 305001, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]