Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/369

BYZANTINE BICEI'IIALIC SIGNET OF THE SAME METAL. 3il and probably Byzantine origin, is figured by Licetus, at fig. 4 on his fuldiiig-platc, but he omits the chaton, a ch;iracteristic feature seen on all those specimens which 1 have examined. They consist of a short-stemmed and piped key, suspended to a ring, which passes through an eye purposely formed, and kept in position by a projecting shoulder on either side ; the substance of the ring, thicker where the key is sus- pended, diminishes towards the opposite point of the circle, where it is attached to a circular button-like bezel incised ■with inscription or figures. A series of these keys, of various sizes, is preserved in that rich mine of antiquarian wealth, the British Museum. One, I believe unique, is in the posses- sion of my friend, Mr. R. II. Soden Smith, F.S.A., the hoop and bezel being of silver, and the key of bronze ; the subject engraved on the cliaton is too indistinct to be recog- nisable ; it seems to represent a man fishing. There is every reason to believe that this was worn as a finger ring. Pos- sibly the double security of locking and sealing may have been attained by the use of this curious variety. The second ring which I have to desci-ibe is one also of unusual type, and remarkable for the amount of ornamenta- tion with which it is covered. (Woodcut No. 2.) In form it consists of a rectangular bezel or table, perfectly plain, but on which two portrait hea<ls, confronting each other, male and female, and beneath a Greek cross, are deeply incised. The hoop is formed of a series of small circular discs, having a pellet of gold on either side of the point of junction with each other and with their attachment to the bezel of the ring. On each of these is a bust, with leaves in the back- ground ; they seem to be alternately male and female, as shown by the cruciform fibula on the shoulder of the former, and the ear-rings of the latter. These busts are engraved and filled in with niello ; their drawing is carefully finished, but marks the decadence of art. There can be no doubt that this fine Byzantine bicephalic ring was used as a signet, and that it belonged to a person of high position ; possibly a matrimonial or betrothal gift. It has been suggested that the heads resemble those of the Eini)cror Leo. I. and Verina (a.d. 4:37-74), but it is doubt- ful whether they are Imperial portraits. They are pro- bably of man and wife, and are deeply an<l well incised. The male figure is clad in a toga, which is fastened on the VOL. XXIX. >^ -^