Analysis of the ring from the balneological museum in the context of jewelry from German burials in Slovakia

The paper publishes a ring from Quadi princely grave I in Krakovany-Straže(Slovakia). The ring is reviewed in the context of princely graves I and II discoveredin 1933 and 1939, respectively. The researchers’ notes reported more items than werecollected. Within 80 years the missing items were gradually recovered. The purchasedfibulae (Figs 1 and 2) demonstrate a high level of gold working. Regarding jewelry, it waspossible to document only a ring from grave 1 (bought in December 2015). It was subjectedto metallographic and gemological studies which helped determine the composition of themetal, material of the centrally placed stone (almandine-pyrope) and small inserts placedaround it (faceted glass). The shape of the item is similar to that of the Roman rings of theGuiraud 2d type. The authors analyzed some technological operations such as the methodof decoration (engraved and embossed scenes, decorative stone setting techniques),production defects, and surface wear. The comparison of the decoration elements withthe details of the belt mounts from the grave established that the items displayed identicaltechnologies and similar motifs. The results of the analyses suggest that the jewelry wasmade in the Germanic milieu and was influenced by the Roman fashion. It can be datedto the first half of the 3rd century AD. The authors believe the ring to be one of the firstGermanic rings documented in the region inhabited by the Quadi. The ring was stolenfrom the Balneological Museum along with two butterfly brooches and a copy of the fibulaon December 26, 2016.