Signet Rings

“ΧΡΩΣΤΗΡΕΣ / PAINTBRUSHES. Wall-painting and vase-painting of the second millennium BC in dialogue” was an interdisciplinary symposium addressed to archaeologists, conservators of antiquities and artists specialized in the study of Aegean iconography. All were invited to Akrotiri, Thera, from 24 to 26 May 2013, to participate in open discussions on the dialectical relationship that developed between the arts of vase-painting and wall-painting in the Aegean during the second millennium BC.

This contribution provides an overview of the iconographic evidence from Pharaonic Egypt relative to seals and sealings, dating from the Old to the New Kingdoms. Images in which certain objects such as vessels are sealed, scenes in which cylindrical seals or signet rings are made, worn, or issued, or depictions in which mud seals are broken (i. e. unsealed), are discussed to not only understand different uses and practices of seals and sealings, but also to identify which persons perform the sealing or unsealing acts in which contexts of action and social set- tings. Material and textual evidence is also considered to better understand the spe- cific characteristics of the imagery. The main aim of the paper is first to assess the individual social contexts and agents represented and related to seals and sealings. The focus is thus less on administrative uses of seals, but, secondly, on the icono- graphic discourse within Pharaonic Egypt and the visual representation of the ‘seals & sealings’ topic. Therefore, this contribution is mainly concerned with vi- sual culture and its capacity of – and approach in – depicting certain images that elucidate the iconographic mise-en-scène and construction of this topic.

„What shall I call you?" A common item type from our medieval cemeteries and unearthed treasures (Data for the research of medieval signet rings)

Rings were a widespread and varied type of jewelry during Medieval Times. Still, signet rings that became widespread from the second part of the 12th century represent a rather neglected area of Hungarian medievalism. The research of their history can be dated to the second part of the 19th century. At first, various private collections, artefacts unearthed during excavations and the ring exhibition in Budapest from 1888 gave the research its foundation. By the 20th century, many prominent researched began to show interest in this item type, which began surfacing more and more frequently during excavations. Nonetheless, the last 30 years have only seen a single summary work, discussing rings which may be dated to the late Árpád-period. Since then, aside from a few exceptions, no substantial research was conducted concerning the rings. It was the author’s thesis that discussed the issue in-depth, by collecting material regarding the medieval signet rings from the Southern region of the Great Hungarian Plain (Bács-Kiskun, Békés and Csongrád County). Nonetheless, research cannot yet be considered complete, because many findings were lost or destroyed due to the world wars and because a large number of signet rings were unearthed again in the concerned area and in other parts of the country. It is not enough to deal with the object itself though – just as the goal of the present article is not to undertake the typology of the rings – but it is definitely worth investigating why the tradition of wearing signet rings appeared in just about all layers of society. Although they became more and more commonly used by secular and ecclesiastical individuals due to the widespread use of diplomas with private seals, the majority of findings came from cemeteries around temples or from sporadic finds, unfortunately. Last but not least, we need to take a closer look at the problems that have arisen during our research and at the title question of the paper: which of the two terms are more suitable: signet ring, or ring with engraved ornamentation, that is, what can we really call a signet ring.

The goal of this paper is to illustrate in a comparative perspective the most notable late antique and medieval traditions regarding the signet ring of King Solomon. The analysis will be conducted by focusing particularly on the constituting material of the ring, and on its possible symbolic relevance, while also exploring the main functions and powers attributed to the object.

Cet article vise à analyser d’une façon comparative les traditions les plus remarquables quant à l’anneau ou sceau (khotam, khâtim) de Salomon, de l’Antiquité tardive à la fin du Moyen Âge. Je me suis concentrée sur son matériau constitutif et sur sa pertinence symbolique. J’ai exploré également les fonctions et les pouvoirs attribués à l’objet, dans le but de distinguer les caractéristiques originelles qui lui furent attribuées et les développements plus tardifs. J’ai commencé par l’analyse de descriptions célèbres faites par des pèlerins chrétiens qui visitèrent Jérusalem au IVème siècle, en les comparant avec d’autres récits pertinents de la tradition islamique (hâdîth, tafsîr coraniques et les Qiṣaṣ al-anbiyâ’ de al-Kisâ’î) et en concluant mon enquête avec quelques incursions dans le milieu juif. Malgré les changements qui se sont produits à travers les siècles et qui ont transformé l’anneau – à l’origine un dispositif d’exorcisme – en une sorte d’outil pour la traduction universelle, et en dépit des particularités propres à chaque tradition religieuse, toutes les sources prises en compte montrent une sorte de continuité souterraine. Cette continuité tire son origine du pouvoir intrinsèque attribué à certains métaux, tels que l’ḥashmal, l’électrum et le nuhâs.

Jewelry is much more than a decorative detail. It is also a symbol of social status, class, ethnic and religious background, as well as indicator of the cultural and educational level of the wearer. The theme deals with the significance and symbolism of rings, especially signet rings from the Ottoman Empire from 19th century with special reference and analysis of several samples from the ethnological collection of the NI Institute and Museum Bitola.

The neck and chest jewelry and hand adornments of Volga Bolgaria and Rus are characterized by similar early stages involving the use of large-scale filigree of the Finnish type (coin- and moon-shaped pendants, bracelets and signet rings). The jewelry breast chains of Volga Bolgaria retained the principle of using noise-making necklaces with pendants included in the jewelry complex together with temple adornments. The shapes of necklaces are similar to those of Iranian origin. Suspended cases for texts from the Quran correspond to the jewelry culture of Islam. Other adornments include original torcs and openwork bracelets. The torcs and bracelets of ancient Rus retained the techniques of dense twisting and weaving. The craftsmen of Volga Bolgaria created an original mixed jewelry complex involving the use of filigree (for head adornments, necklaces) and blackening (for cult items and hand jewelry), and the two techniques were combined. Several complexes were distinguished in Ancient Rus, which correspond to the following techniques: enameling, blackening and filigree. Each of them established its own versions of the main categories of adornments (necklaces consisting of medallions with Christian plots, blackened arm bracelets). The stylistic development of Bolgar and Rus ornamentation of blackened articles is similar. The contact of Rus and Volga Bulgar cultures did not result in significant changes in the complex of adornments and jewelry of these countries. The Rus element in the culture of the Volga Bolgars and the Bolgar element in Rus remained distinguishable. Each of the cultures created an original jewelry complex.

Two quite rare findings for Tauric Chersonesos were found in mixed soil filling the estate of the 10th–13th centuries in the block 9. It is a fragment of the ring of the Ptolemaic type with the portrait of Berenice II and the coin of Kerkinitida of the third quarter of the 5th century BC. Chronologically and semantically unrelated objects were found in the same layer as a result of the economic activities of the monastery at the end of the 19th century.

Introduction: Stomach cancer is the second in mortality and the fourth most frequent of all cancers in the world. In the recent decades, the number of patients with Signet ring cell carcinoma type has been growing. Unknown etiology with proven risk factors such as smoked and salted foods, smoking, metabolic syndrome, alcohol abuse and Helicobacter pylori infection. Five-year span survival is 20%-40%.
Case outline: Patient, 70 years old, in good health, came to the GP, because of pain she had been feeling in the lower back area for a couple of months. Sometimes she wakes up because of the pain below the chest. Belch, acid, lost three kilograms. Didn't pay any attention to the problem because earlier, due to severe osteoporosis, she had obtained a compression fracture of two vertebrae. Occult bleeding negative. Laboratory normal. Tenderness on palpation of epigastrium, the tumor mass is not palpable. Addressed immediate to esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Diagnosis: Ulcer ventriculi, region antrum. Histopathological findings: Gastric Adenocarcinoma, diffuse type, Signet ring cell. Computed tomography showed locoregional lymphadenopathy so responsible Consilium decided radical surgery and chemotherapy. Despite being treated, the patient pass away two years after the onset of the illness.
Conclusion: Primary health care workers have a big responsibility, because of nonspecific symptoms, in detection of gastric cancer. Good evaluation of patients who should be referred for esophagogastroduodenoscopy is essential. The doctor should keep in mind in the further course of treatment early postoperative complications, Dumping syndrome, appears ventral anastomosis, subocclusive disorders, gallbladders calculus formation, educate patients about nutrition, vitamins, monitor vitamin B12 and iron because patients are prone to vitamin deficiency and pernicious anemia. Psychological support for patients and their families is also very significant, through a concrete doctor-patient relationship.

(ENG) THE MAVROSPILIO RING. AN INSCRIPTION IN "MINOAN GREEK"?
The paper presents a possible interpretation of the Minoan inscription that appears on the so-called Mavrospilio ring. The hypothesis bases its validity on the possible theonymic analogies with the Mycenaean and ancient Cretan context, as well as on its syntactic and thematic compatibility with the inscriptions that appear on similar objects in the Greek-Byzantine context.

(IT) L'articolo presenta una proposta di interpretazione dell'iscrizione minoica che compare sul cosiddetto anello di Mavrospilio. L'ipotesi fonda la propria validità sulle possibili analogie teonimiche con il contesto miceneo e cretese antico, oltre che sulla compatibilità sintattica e tematica con le iscrizioni che compaiono su analoghi oggetti nel contesto greco-bizantino.

Which phenomenon do we specify with the expression gemmae dubitandae and how can we apply it to Bronze Age Aegean archaeology in particular? Which associated premises, working methods, and arguments are required to enhance the study of seals? This paper addresses the problem of dubitandae and the ambivalent position they maintain as artefacts between genuine and fake. Making these identities clear is particularly important in the archaeological discipline, for archaeology represents both historical and material-based research. Therefore, this paper begins by targeting the expression gemma dubitanda terminologically with emphasis on its hermeneutics, its grammar, and its origin, looking particularly at the idea of authenticity within the study of archaeology. Bronze Age Aegean seals and signet rings are especially effective artefacts for this study. Their movability (including them in their role as collectors' items), and their iconographical and typological diversity ('uniqu...

The paper presents two unknown Byzantine signet-rings found in capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire - Tyrnovgrad. The first is from gilded bronze and was found in the citadel Trapezitsa in large building in south side of the fortress. It is richly decorated with foliage and bear name Leonti. The second ring was bought from Regional historical museum in Tyrnovo.
The article is in Bulgarian.