Mixed group of trade weights including cuboid, polyhedral and other types; one cuboid resembling a die with four faces bearing four spots and two faces bearing two spots. 326 grams total, 12-21 mm

Acquired in the 1970s.
European private collection.

See Weber, K., Byzantinische Münzgewichte: Materialkorpus für 1-Nomisma-Gewichte, Schwelm, 2009, for discussion.

Comprising a round-section hoop with a tablet-bezel engraved with an imperial figure holding a cross in the right hand, a palm branch extending over the head and Greek inscription 'AΦT' (Aghia Photini or Aghia Photia) to the right. 4.85 grams, 20.41 mm overall, 16.21 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K 1/2, USA 5 1/2, Europe 10.58, Japan 10)

Ex Axia Art, London, UK.
Property of a North American gallery.

Accompanied by a positive scientific statement from Striptwist Limited, a London-based company run by historical precious metal specialist Dr Jack Ogden, reference number 170706.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12116-214329.

Cf. Papanikola-Bakirtzi, D. (ed.), Everyday life in Byzantium. Byzantine Hours. Works and days in Byzantium, Exhibition catalogue, Thessaloniki, White Tower October 2001-January 2002, Athens, 2002, nos.571-572, for the type.

This type of ring belongs to a typical category of the period in question, made with high quality materials, and decorated with images of saints to invoke their protection. Aghia Fotini, a saint venerated throughout the Christian world since the 6th century A.D., was a famous Samaritan woman, who spoke with Jesus at Jacob's well. According to her hagiographic legend she and her children were martyred under Nero.

Sheet gold disc with applied filigree cells; facing nimbate saint with flanking roundels bearing 'MP / IC' (Mary and Jesus). 1.01 grams, 18 mm

Ex Elie Borowski, 1988.

Cf. Evans, H.C. & Wixom, W.D., The Glory of Byzantium. Art and Culture of the Middle Byzantine Era A.D.843-1261, New York, 2006, item 204, for type.

Sheet gold disc with three holes close to the rim for attachment of links (two damaged); repoussé facing image of a nimbate saint standing wearing a knee-length tunic with decorative hatched panel to the front, calf-length cloak with hatched texture, disc brooch beneath the chin, both arms raised in the orans gesture. 1.19 grams, 23 mm

Ex Elie Borowski, 1988.

Cf. Evans, H.C. & Wixom, W.D., The Glory of Byzantium. Art and Culture of the Middle Byzantine Era A.D.843-1261, New York, 2006, item 107, for a larger example with enamelled fill.

Comprising a round-section hoop with tablet-bezel depicting a military saint on horseback (probably Saint George) advancing right, the nimbate saint holding a large cross in his right hand. 4.00 grams, 21.79 mm overall, 18.33 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)

Ex Axia Art, London, UK.
Property of a North American gallery.

Accompanied by a positive scientific statement from Striptwist Limited, a London-based company run by historical precious metal specialist Dr Jack Ogden, reference number 170705.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12117-214328.

Cf. Papanikola-Bakirtzi, D. (ed.), Everyday life in Byzantium. Byzantine Hours. Works and days in Byzantium, Exhibition catalogue, Thessaloniki, White Tower, October 2001-January 2002, Athens, 2002, no.573, for the type.

This type of ring belongs to a typical category of the period in question, made with high-quality materials, and decorated with images of saints to invoke their protection. The presence of Saint George on this ring could refer to an owner of high military rank.

With a heavy hollow-formed hoop, three pellets to each shoulder; raised square bezel set with emerald framed with pelletted border, four applied loops to the outer edge holding decorative gold wire with seed pearls. 6.70 grams, 27.95 mm overall, 16.94 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I, USA 4 1/4, Europe 7.44, Japan 7)

Ex New York, USA, private collection in the early 1990s.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12105-214336.

Cf. Hadjadj, R., Bagues Merovingiennes - Gaul du Nord, Paris, 2007, item p.39, for similar emerald cabochon.

With slender hoop and ellipsoid bezel flanked at each shoulder by two granules, beaded wire collar, inset intaglio olive tree flanked by bullrushes. 3.79 grams, 17.74 mm overall, 14.14 mm internal diameter

Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent.

Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 482, for type.

With facetted hoop and conical architectural bezel with applied filigree decoration, set with an emerald with engraved dove flying left. 7.55 grams, 37.12 mm overall, 20.74 mm internal diameter (approximate size British W, USA 11, Europe 25, Japan 24)

Ex Michael O'hara collection, before 1989.
From the private collection of the late A.B., London, UK.

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 a search certificate number no.12004-213033.

Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, items 483, 484, for the type; Baldini Lippolis, I., L'Oreficeria nell'Impero di Costantinopoli tra IV e VII secolo (the Jewellery in the Empire of Constantinople between IV and VII century, in Italian), Bari, 1999, pp.229ff, for the type of rings, items pp.202-203; Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, items 638-639, for similar types.

The quality of this finger ring suggests that it was the work of an excellent goldsmith who may have worked for the court in Constantinople or an important provincial imperial capital, like Ravenna or Carthage.

Each formed as a dove with garnet set wings and eyes (one eye absent), beaded border framing the raised settings; triangular tail with garnet insert; body with incised feather detailing; four loops to the underside with pearl drops (one absent) and a double loop on the back. 12.8 grams total, 32 mm

Art market before 2000.
Private collection, London, UK.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12104214176.

Cf. for the same style of earrings, Adams, D.N., Late Antique Migration Period and Early Byzantine Garnet Cloisonné Ornaments, Origins, Styles and Workshop Production, vol.I, text and catalogue, London, 1991, comparative plate 13, earrings from Piazza della Consolazione, Rome.

There are good points of comparison between the earring from the Piazza della Consolazione treasure in Rome and the Cluj (Pietroasa) with our earring to suggest that these should all be dated from the second quarter to the second half of the 5th century A.D. The earring set of Piazza della Consolazione treasure is decorated with radiating pearls on wires, in the fashion of the Cluj medallion and our earring.

Rectangular slab with reserved symbols in three columns to one face, reverse plain. 314 grams, 11.9 cm

Ex Oriental Dar Antiques, Jerusalem, 1967.
European private collection.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12094-211937.

Cf. similar item in the British Museum, London, under accession no.85274, for type.

Comprising an envelope with intact tablet within, the outer face covered with cylinder seal impressions, small part opening to reveal the tablet inside. 115 grams, 55 mm

Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1992.
Thence by descent to family members.
Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples.

Comprising two pillow-shaped clay tablets comprising: one in dark brown material, cuneiform text to both broad faces and one edge, polished surface, end of the third millennium but with an Akkadian administrative text; one in tan-coloured material, cuneiform text to both broad faces and three edges, a legal text from the beginning of the second millennium. 90 grams total, 45-51 mm

Acquired in the 1970s.
European private collection.

Cf. similar item in the British Museum, London, under accession number 1989,0130.4/ BM No.140855 and published in MacGregor, N., A History of the World in 100 Objects, London, 2010 (cat.no.15, pp.90-94).