[MR] History Blog: 9th c Dutch Ring Sale Blocked

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

This week the Netherlands Minister of Education, Culture & Science
temporarily blocked the export sale of a 9th century gold ring. Museums or
the government have six weeks to acquire the piece. The article did not
identify a potential foreign buyer.

The 8-gram ring is carved with Christian symbols and possibly belonged to
an unknown bishop or other high churchman.

The bling was discovered by a metal detectorist in 1997 at a construction
site in Sumar. It was declared a protected cultural asset in 2022. Unlike
treasure being declared national property in Great Britain, in the
Netherlands treasure belongs to the finder, though museums and the state
have certain rights of purchase.

The ring ring can be viewed at https://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/72614
.

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep the original Merry Rose relevant and in
business.