One historian describes ancient Constantinople as a city 'of great fame and even greater wealth.’ Situated where Europe meets Asia- on the Bosphorus Strait- Constantinople spanned both sides of the enclosed Golden Horn Bay, which gave it excellent defences. In 657 BC, Greek settlers named the place Byzantium after their legendary leader Byzas. More than ten centuries later, the city was called New Rome. During its heyday- from the 6th to the 11th century AD- it was home to half a million people.
Visitors from the West were impressed by this metropolis, a crossroads of world trade routes. A multitude of ships came to the local harbour. The markets sold silk, furs, precious stones, fragrant wood, ivory products, gold, silver, enamelled jewellery and spices. No wonder Constantinople was the envy of other powers, which repeatedly tried to breach its walls. Before the conquest by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, the city had only been captured once- by 'Christians' taking part in the Fourth Crusade. The crusader, Robert of Clara, poignantly wrote: "Centuries have passed, and such great riches, so magnificent and immense, have not been seen and conquered."
Analysis of Byzantine art and the intricate decorations left on architectural monuments inspired me to design unique wedding rings. The elaborate design comprises figures of eight embellished by leaves woven into the round settings with natural emeralds. The woman's ring has an open edge, while the man's design is set with two bands, enclosing the composition. The subtle hammered texture sets a tone of vintage and rich ornamentation. The sides and interior of the rings have been finished in a high polish that fuses old-world goldsmithing with the modern flair of luxury jewellery.
