Half-Moon Temple Rings

These half-moon temple rings are cast in a copy of (part of) an original mold. The medieval mold was found in 2020 in Chur, the capital of the Swiss canton of Grisons. Only one mold piece, which also made an eagle and a round ornament with a cross, survives*. The mold is still being studied, but it has been dated between the ninth and the 11th century. Most of what we know about it comes from the blog cited in the Reference section. You can compare our mold, in the gallery, with images of the original on the blog post.

These are “bracelet” style rings, decorated with inscribed motifs in an asymmetrical design. We cast them “open” as shown. You close them by tilting the loop on the one end back so the (other) pointy end can slip through it (see the gallery image). We will do this for you if you prefer – choose open or closed when you order

Sold by the pair.

*The mold piece also had designs on the other side – a crucifix, another circular ornament, and a small ring. Each side would have been used with one of two separate matching shells to cast the objects.