The Kastrioti family ruled over the Duchy of Kastrioti in the 14th century. During this time, the Ottoman Empire sought to impose tribute on the local rulers and, to secure their allegiance, compelled them to surrender their children as hostages. A son from the Kastrioti family, Gjon Kastrioti, who was later known as Skanderbeg, led an uprising against Mehmed the Conqueror, the leader of the Ottoman invasion of the Balkans. With his fame reaching far beyond the borders of Albania, Voltaire concluded that Byzantium would have survived with such a leader as Gjon. Unsurprisingly, his life became an inspiration for numerous poets and composers.
After Skanderbeg's death and the fall of the Principality in 1468, the Kastrioti family paid tribute to the Kingdom of Naples and received control of the Principality of San Pietro in Galatina and the County of Soleto, located today in the province of Lecce, Italy. Today, the family consists of two Italian branches, one in Lecce and the other in Naples. Descendants of the Kastrioti family in Italy use the family name 'Castriota Scanderbeg'.
The history of Scanderbeg and the Kastrioti family inspired the creation of a unique ring. In the centre are the initials of the owner, decorated with laurel leaves. On the sides, a two-headed eagle - the Kastrioti family coat of arms - is set against a repoussé background. The inner circumference is decorated with a soldered sleeve featuring openwork eagles, visible in the reflection of the ring. The shiny, noble symbols contrast with the matt finish of the signet ring, evoking a sense of chivalry.
