Codex of vellum pages bound within leather covers with securing straps; each page with a block of ten lines of Coptic black-ink text in Greek letters with red highlighting; probably from Egypt. 296 grams, 11 x 8.5 cm

Acquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.

An architectural structural element, carved in two pieces: the upper section formed as a tulip with rounded base, the Nativity scene depicted on all sides comprising: the Virgin and Child seated on a throne, surrounded by divine light; the three wise men bearing gifts to her right, the foremost man kneeling next to the throne; behind the wise men a scene depicting Mary resting on a bed with Joseph beside her, the Child in his cradle with a donkey and an ox looking over him bathed in divine light; the last scene representing the meeting between Mary and Saint Elizabeth; the square base with spandrels. 812 grams total, 70-78 mm

Acquired in the early 2000s.
Ex Norfolk, UK, collection.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11782-205862.

See Hack, B., Mons, I mosaici della Patriarcale Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (The mosaics of the Patriarchal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore), Rome, 1967; Schug-Wille, C., L’arte bizantina (The Byzantine Art), Milano, 1970; Little, C.T., Set in stone, The face in medieval sculpture, Madrid, 2007; Turnock, J.A., Landscapes of Patronage, Power and Salvation: A Contextual Study of Architectural Stone Sculpture in Northern England, c.1070 - c.1155, Durham University, 2018.

The treatment of the faces is similar to various English Romanesque ecclesiastical sculpture; see for example Christ in Majesty in St Andrew's Church in Bugthorpe or a loose corbel from the St Bees Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint Bega (Cumbria).

With a D-section hoop flaring out to an oval bezel bearing the engraved incuse arms 'party per fess, two fleurs-de-lys and chequy (in four rows of six pieces)' with bird-head crest above and foliate tendrils at sides. 14.20 grams, 24.10 mm overall, 20.80 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V 1/2, USA 10 3/4, Europe 24.4, Japan 23)

From a 1990s private collection.
Property of a European gentleman.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11907-205633.

Cf. Oman, C.C., British Rings 800-1914, London, 1974, pl.50(f), for type.

While linking this ring firmly to a branch of a family requires further research, the combination of two fleurs-de-lys with a partial chequy in a coat of arms is connected to the badge of the Rothesay Herald of Arms and also to the Dukes of Rothesay, sons of the Kings of Scotland and with the dukedom first conferred on David, eldest son of Robert III, in 1398 A.D. and the office of Herald passing down to the present day; the arms on this ring could perhaps be connected to this dukedom or office.

The hoop with convex outer face, the cast elliptical bezel with small heart and other motifs in the field. 19.11 grams, 24.36 mm overall, 22.14 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)

From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

The slender band with a convex outer face and inscription in cursive script to the interior: 'Thy vertue is thy honor' followed by maker's mark 'DA' in a rectangular cartouche. 2.20 grams, 17.11 mm overall, 14.60 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G 1/2, USA 3 1/2, Europe 5.55, Japan 5)

Acquired in the early 1990s.
Property of a Berkshire, UK, gentleman.

Cf. The British Museum, museum number 1961,1202.361, for a very similar ring with this inscription, dated 17th century; cf. Evans, J., English Posies and Posy Rings, OUP, 1931, p.100, for this inscription.

The maker's mark is possibly a Britannia style mark composed of the first two letters of the surname of one Isaac Davenport, active 1696-1731.

The slender band with a convex outer face, inscription to the hoop interior in cursive lettering: 'x The sight of thee doth comfort me'. 1.49 grams, 19.04 mm overall, 16.89 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)

Acquired in the early 1990s.
Property of a Berkshire, UK, gentleman.

Cf. Evans, J., English Posies and Posy Rings, OUP, 1931, p.96, for similar inscriptions.

Very heavy high-carat merchants ring with oval bezel bearing heraldic helmet and shield design with a chevron below two mullets and an eagle's head at the base; the helmet with luxurious looped mantle and crest of a human bust; to the underside, an incuse panel with reserved swan on a textured field probably a device alluding to the family name. 17.61 grams, 23.28 mm overall, 17.93 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)

From a 1990s private collection.
Property of a European gentleman.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11909-207247.

Cf. Oman, C.C., British Rings 800-1914, London, 1974, pl.47 (C,D).

The arms appear to be a variant of those used by Adam de Cretinge in the Dering Roll of the late 13th century.

The slender rose gold hoop supported a yellow gold, oval-shaped bezel with scalloped sidewall, set with a cut and polished crystal face over a gold wire border enclosing a dove of peace over a cypher, against a field of plaited hair. 4.12 grams, 22.63 mm overall, 19.58 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)

From a European collection formed in the 1960s.
From the private collection of a Kent, UK, lady.

Cf. The V&A Museum, accession number M.50-1974, for a similar early 18th century example.

Possibly given as a memorial ring or as a gift of love or friendship.

The hoop with a convex outer face and inscription in cursive lettering to the interior: 'No recompence but love', followed by maker's initials 'NC' in rectangular cartouche. 2.72 grams, 18.41 mm overall, 16.33 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 9.95, Japan 9)

Acquired in the early 1990s.
Property of a Berkshire, UK, gentleman.

Cf. The British Museum, museum number AF.1350, for a ring with this inscription; cf. Evans, J., English Posies and Posy Rings, OUP, 1931, p.84, for this inscription.

Featuring a carinated hoop with raised plaque to base and foliage around the body, large oval bezel with notched circumference, bearing a calligraphic inscription in Arabic over two lines. 19.85 grams, 34.34 mm overall, 21.59 mm internal diameter (approximate size British W 1/2, USA 11 1/4, Europe 25.66, Japan 24)

London collection since the 1980s.
Property of a Canadian family.

An 'Essex Crystal' depicting a galloping race horse with jockey dressed in blue and white silks with yellow cap, housed in it's original leather box from 'J. Moore, Watchmaker & Jeweller, 18 Corn Market, Derby'. 6.03 grams, 21.30 mm

Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11911-204599.

Cut and polished with calligraphic Arabic script inscribed within a polygonal cartouche to centre; held in a claw setting with beading below, hoop with openwork shoulders. 29.04 grams, 34.53 mm overall, 23.58 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Z+4, USA 14 1/4, Europe 33.83, Japan 32)

London collection since the 1980s.
Property of a Canadian family.