Hello Edward,
Its an interesting question you ask. When seeing the pictures you show it is a bit difficult to imagine whar the ring is for - as it can be moved.
Have a look at this detail, here the sword of the god has two rings, and to me it looks as if they are there to secure the blade.
The details of this figure I have had for nine years, so I don't remember much about the deity itself, other than it is gilded bronze and 16th to 17th century.
So why the ring on the swords you show are loose I cant tell, but early th erings seem to have been a support for the blade.
The deity is, if I remember correctly from Nepal.
Jens
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