Signet Ring of John, Imperial Spatharios

Unknown

10th century · Gold, niello · Medieval Art

The title spatharios, Sword-Bearer, was originally an honor reserved for the imperial bodyguard. By the middle Byzantine period, it had become an honorific title only, indicating Ioannis’s respectable status.

Artist

Unknown

Date

10th century

Medium

Gold, niello

Culture

Byzantine

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of Guy and Valerie Tempest Megargee, 1992