He has initiated the process to keep the ring in the Netherlands after a request was made to export it for sale. The minister has decided that the object should not leave the country due to its irreplaceable historical value. In 2022, the ring was designated as a protected cultural object. This is the first time a minister has initiated such a process for a designated cultural artifact.
Minister Bruins stated: "Protected cultural objects carry our history and identity. They form an essential part of the collective memory of the Netherlands. I believe it is important that the ring remains in the Netherlands so that future generations can experience and understand its value."
The medieval gold ring, dated to the 9th or 10th century, features an image of the Lamb of God surrounded by the four evangelists. It was discovered in 1997 in the Frisian town of Sumar by a metal detector enthusiast. Since 2022, the artifact has been classified as protected and included in the national register. Potential buyers in the Netherlands now have six weeks to purchase the ring and keep it within the country. If no buyer comes forward, the state may acquire the ring.
