| Sažetak (engleski) | A significant number of medieval rings originate from the geographical region of Syrmia and Slavonia, the present-day political borders of eastern Croatia and northwestern Serbia (southwestern Vojvodina region). The dissertation focuses on artifacts acquired for the National Museum (at the time) before World War I, now housed in the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb. Since then, they have never been evaluated in a museological and scientific framework and have remained unknown to the professional public until now. The primary goal of this study was to systematize and analyze a group of medieval rings, despite the lack of information about their original context. The analyzed material includes 178 examples of Late Medieval (13th-16th century) rings from eastern and western Syrmia, as well as eastern Slavonia. While some rings lacked information about their specific find locations, they were included because they are typologically and chronologically similar to others, suggesting they likely originated from the same region and time period. All published rings from the mentioned area were used for comparison. Ultimately, the aim was to understand how these rings fit into the broader context of similar jewelry types in neighboring regions. Prior to this analysis, Syrmia and Eastern Slavonia represented a gap in our archaeological understanding of ring types. Rings were the most popular form of jewelry in the Late Middle Ages, offering valuable insights into craft art, funeral customs, spiritual life, cultural currents, trade, and social status. However, limitations arose due to a lack of context and insufficient research and publication of findings. Despite these challenges, a large sample provided a diverse range of typological and stylistic variations. We gained a better understanding of fashion, production, trade, and other aspects related to medieval jewelry, laying a foundation for future research. The rings have been cataloged and accompanied by photos and drawings. Analysis included typological determination based on production method and shape, as well as classification according to decorative elements. A few examples were subjected to material composition analysis. Comparative methods allowed for their placement in a chronological framework, providing a general overview of the collection in relation to similar objects from the same region and its surroundings. Additional observations regarding function, use, distribution, and deposition contributed to a comprehensive understanding of the object's complexity and its role in Late Medieval society. According to the manufacturing process, the rings were made of one or two components. Cast rings are the most numerous, with the most variations appearing. The shape of the rings evolved based on the shape of the bezel and its relation to the shoulders and hoop, as well as the overall massiveness of the ring. Earlier forms were simpler, thinner, and lighter, often with circular, and sometimes oval-shaped bezels. Later, more massive forms appeared, with bezels commonly oval, but also rhomboid, hexagonal, and octagonal. This trend was also observed in surrounding countries and throughout Europe. Linear-geometric motifs are the most numerous group of bezel decorations, followed by vegetative motifs, primarily lily flowers. Zoomorphic motifs, such as birds, are also widely represented, and depictions of four-legged animals are common as well. Monograms are a distinctive ornament, with the letter "I" being particularly prevalent. An intriguing and numerous motif is the wing, which also appears as a component of composite ornaments. Other ornaments, including anthropomorphic figures, abstract designs, and unrecognizable shapes, are present in smaller quantities. In addition to the main decorative surface of the ring's bezel, many rings also feature at least partially decorated hoop. Some of the motifs in this group of rings can be associated with Christian symbolism (cross, fish, Agnus Dei, eagle, lily), while for some, it can only be assumed. Sometimes it is difficult to understand the symbolism because some motifs have been used for a long time and can be interpreted as a pure decoration, not necessarily bearing a symbolic message. The rings offer a glimpse into the material and spiritual culture of the period, aligning with the typological-stylistic framework of Central and Southeastern Europe. The collection does not feature luxurious rings of expensive manufacture or complex and skillfully shaped decorations. Instead, it consists primarily of rings made from cheaper and more available materials, with only a small number of silver rings demonstrating high-quality production. Most of the rings likely originated from rural cemeteries, where the population would have used more affordable products. The smaller number of higher-quality silver rings might be attributed to wealthier owners, such as lower nobility or merchants from city centers. Regarding materials, copper alloys are the most widely used. Silver is the second most common material and is usually of high purity. Less common examples are made of alloys containing zinc, copper, and tin, which often suggest the recycling of materials and the utilization of available raw materials. Brass is also well-represented, and its percentage is likely even higher, as a comprehensive analysis of the entire collection has not been conducted. Comparative analyses revealed interesting data related to production techniques and decorations. They indicate the position of Syrmia on the very periphery of the Hungarian Kingdom, with stronger southern influences, but also where some local design and decorative variants developed. The difference in the utilized materials is also evident compared to the present-day southern Hungarian counties. The amount of silver specimens there is the same as those of copper alloys in this sample. However, the two samples do not fully overlap in typology and chronology since cast rings, which are dominant here, are poorly represented in the Hungarian comparative sample. In general, stray finds significantly outnumber artifacts found in context (graves, hoards, settlements). Despite the scarcity of grave goods, rings were a common type of jewelry during the 14th and 15th centuries. Likewise, excavations of medieval towns and rural settlements resulted in very few rings and jewelry. The number of rings has recently been increasing due to the intensive use of metal detectors in eastern Croatia. This practice is also gaining popularity in Hungary. Unfortunately, apart from the awareness about the quantity and distribution of certain types of rings, this method results in the permanent loss of other valuable archaeological information. It seems that the forms at the end of the Middle Ages had more influences from the south, which is probably a reflection of political circumstances. Syrmia was an integral part of the Hungarian Kingdom until the Ottoman occupation but had a looser connection to the central parts of the Kingdom in that final period. Communication and trade with the southern neighborhood were more vivid, and the demographic picture also changed. Moreover, local production also had its role in fashion, which comparative analyses with other finds from Eastern Slavonia have shown. In addition to the specific motifs of walking birds and various combinations of the wing motif on both samples, one can also notice, for example, the smaller number of rings decorated with monograms in this collection compared to the Vinkovci collection. However, there are no rings connected to the Kosovo workshops in Vinkovci. The time period when these rings were in fashion partially overlaps, so these data are important for understanding the cultural and political circumstances. Although the collections partially cover the same area, the collection includes a greater number of artifacts from the eastern Syrima region compared to the Vinkovci collection. The analysis of stray finds of rings collected in Syrmia and Slavonia has yielded new insights and a comprehensive overview of the preferred shapes and decorations of this type of jewelry. These rings are now placed in context based on available comparative material. |
