Comprising a keeled hoop with a lozenge-shaped bezel, raised cell set with garnet cabochon, applied granules framing the bezel. 3.64 grams, 22.80 mm overall, 18.49 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)

Acquired from London galleries during the 1990s.
From the jewellery collection of a London, UK, gentleman.

Cf. Spier, J., Byzantium and the West: Jewelry in the First Millennium, London, 2012, for a ring with similar garnet stone and pellet granulation.

The Merovingian rings typically have bezels in the form of four-sided pyramids decorated with filigree, granulation, and sometimes inlay. Around the bezel, as in this case, are often triangular clusters of granulation and gold pellets.

Wire ring with ends wound around the shank; miniature tool pendants including a sickle, mirror, dagger, spike and skillet. 2.81 grams, 30 mm

Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s.
From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman.

Cf. Graham-Campbell, J., The Viking World, London, 1980, p.183, for type.

Flat-section with stamped triangular decorated border enclosing inscription: 'CX REX VICTVRIA'; attributed to King Agilulf. 25.73 grams, 53.47 mm

Acquired on the London art market before 2000.
Acquired from a major Mayfair, London, UK, gallery.
Ex property of a London gentleman.

Cf. Sannazzaro, M., Giostra, C., Petala Aurea, Gold-Sheet-work of Byzantine and Lombard Origin from the Rovati Collection, Truccazzano, 2014, nos.1, 18-20, 23, 24, 25, 27-32, for crosses and other gold sheets with similar decorations and inscriptions.

Hammond, Aaron, Discovering Jewellery, A Collector's and Investor's Guide, Ipswich, p.262.

The inscription 'VICTURIA' and 'REX' appears on several items that belonged to Agilulf (ca. 515-616 AD), the king of the Lombards who accepted Christianity to appease his wife, Theodelinda, the widow of his predecessor King Authari. Under Agilulf, the Lombards accepted Arian Christianity; in 603, the king adopted the Roman Catholic faith and baptised his son, Adaloald. A representation of the king appears on a helmet panel from Valdinievole, now in the Bargello, Florence. Stamped decoration in the form of a triangle with three dots inside was popular among Germanic tribes, used during the early and high Middle Ages.

Roundel with painted image of a winged and nimbate angel playing a gittern; left hand supporting the neck of the instrument and right hand manipulating a pointed plectrum; pegbox carved with a beast's head finial; silvered and deep red panels to complete the circular shape. 452 grams, 19 cm

French private collection.
Private collection, Suffolk.

Exhibited at Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 3rd February-9th March 2024; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefact on display.

Roundel with painted image of the Corpus Christi having been taken down from the cross and prepared for burial; weeping mourners in the foreground, grave-diggers and cave of Golgotha behind, city walls in the distance. 365 grams, 23.5 cm

Private collection, South-West England.
Ex central London gallery.

Rectangular with framework of lead cames; segmented borders and median band of vegetation in rich blue, yellow, rose-pink and other shades. 1.69 kg, 43.5 x 22 cm

with De Baecque Encheres, 14 April 2008, no.202 and 207 (part).

Roundel in a lead came frame, painted image of a winged and nimbate angel holding cymbals. 328 grams, 19.5 cm

French private collection.
Private collection, Suffolk.

Rectangular panel with polychrome image depicting nimbate St. Thomas with a staff and advancing nimbate St. Helena with processional cross; with ornate border; likely from the Abbey of Steinfeld; in a robust wooden frame with fabric padding. 3.55 kg, 64.5 x 58 cm

Private collection nearby Coblenz, Germany.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12037-212186.

Roundel in a modern lead frame with suspension loop; black and silver-stained scene of St. John in exile on the island of Patmos, sitting with quill and scroll in a rocky landscape and visited by a vision of Mary in a yellow vesica-shaped nimbus; two cracks repaired. 335 grams, 25 cm high

Private collection, Sussex, UK.

Accompanied by a copy of an illustrated catalogue document.

Glazed square floor tile with cream-coloured image of a hog running with legs extended. 863 grams, 13.5 x 13.5 cm

Benjamin Proust, 2015.
Ex central London gallery.

Accompanied by a copy of a previous illustrated cataloguing document with references.

Cf. Eames, E., Medieval Craftsmen: English Tilers, London, 1992, item 67, for type.

Group of six square floor tiles in red-on-white slip; design of a quadrant with bisecting line and florid scrolls repeating to form ornate circle motifs; mounted in a sturdy wooden frame. 3.39 kg, 34.5 x 23.5 cm

with Jean-Emmanuel Prunier, 15 April 2012, no.37.

Accompanied by a previous catalogue information page.

Square tile with cream-coloured image of a hound running past a tree. 388 grams, 10.5 x 10.5 cm

with Woolley & Wallis Salisbury, 8 October 2013, no.299.
Ex central London gallery.

Accompanied by a copy of a previous cataloguing document with references.

Cf. Norton, E.C., De l'Aquitaine a l'Artois: Carreaux Stannifères et carreaux Plombifères des XIIIe et XIVe siècles en France, in Rosen & Crepin-Lebrond, Images du Pouvoir, Pavements de Faience en France du XIIIe au XVIIe siècles, Lyon, 2000, pp.34-48.