A signet ring with a glass inset from the Novgorod Saint Panteleimon monastery

In 2013 in the course of excavations performed in the compound of the SaintPanteleimon Monastery in Veliky Novgorod a brass ring with a glass inset/engraved gemwas found in the layer dated to the 14th-15th centuries, which is associated with a disturbedgrave of the monastery cemetery. It is noted for its large smooth bezel setting without anymetal prongs known as claws and the hoop, which widens at the bezel. The ring is castfrom “red brass” (tomback) of first melting. The ornament is engraved. The inset glass isnavy blue of the (Na, K)-Ca-Si type with an increased content of Al and Ba. The analysis of the metal and the glass was performed by employing the XRF method. The insetfeatures a carved figure of the Hero slaying the serpent with a lance (or a sword) and alarge figure of a winged creature. There is a small bird with outspread wings at the top(a scroll?). No comparable motif has been found, this image is singular. The signet ringwas probably made in the 14th century in one of the Novgorod shops. The glass inset, mostlikely, comes from a Byzantine shop of the 11th-12th centuries. It was brought to MedievalRus, to Novgorod either with Byzantine merchandise or as an object of pilgrimage. Thesignet ring, undoubtedly, indicated high ranking.