D-section hoop and disc bezel with 'R' between fronds. 6.80 grams, 27.20 mm overall, 21.73 mm internal diameter (approximate size British X 1/2, USA 11 3/4, Europe 26.92, Japan 25)



From the collection of Dame Joan Evans (1893-1977), thence gifted during her lifetime to a gentleman collector friend from South East England.

Dame Joan Evans, DBE, FSA, FRHistS, enjoyed a long and distinguished career as an author and historian. She was appointed the president of the Society of Antiquaries in 1959, the first woman to hold this position, serving until 1964. From 1948 to 1951, Joan Evans served as President of the Royal Archaeological Institute. She received the Society’s gold medal in 1973. Joan Evans was honoured with a host of honorary degrees and fellowships, as well as fellowships of the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Society of Literature. She was a Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur, and was appointed a Dame of the British Empire in 1976. She served as a trustee of both the London and the British museums, and as a member of the advisory council of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Hollow-formed spherical pommel with rectangular slot to the underside to accept the tang, and smaller slot above to accommodate the pierced end; segmented outer face with alternating plain and pointillé surfaces. 120 grams, 39 mm high



Found Suffolk, UK.

Comprising an expanding D-section hoop and an oval bezel with a stylised female figure with long curving arms. 7.12 grams, 24.84 mm overall, 20.90 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)



Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

In these rings, dated 12th-13th century A.D., the semicircular cross-section link on the front side transitions into an elongated and flattened, elliptical bezel. The carved decoration on the bezel is very rough, borrowing themes from the Celtic Age.

Chessman-type seal with clasped hands to the tondo, border with 'PRIVE SV' (I am private) legend. 5.96 grams, 17 mm



From the collection of a late Gloucestershire, UK, collector.

Slender hoop and teardrop-shaped bezel with inset garnet cabochon. 0.79 grams, 20.15 mm overall, 16.97 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 12)



From the collection of a late Japanese gentleman, 1970-2000s.

Comprising a large D-section hoop, raised collars on the shoulders, an oval bezel with an incuse image of a horse facing back. 8.68 grams, 25.84 mm overall, 19.22 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)



Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

In these rings, dated 12th-13th century A.D., the semicircular cross-section link on the front side transitions into an elongated and flattened, elliptical head. The carved decoration on the bezel is very rough, borrowing themes from the Romanesque art.

The hoop with keeled shoulders with lines of pointillé decoration, a hexagonal bezel with an incuse stylised figure. 7.78 grams, 24.23 mm overall, 19.54 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 9 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)



Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

The finger rings worn by merchants and tradesmen were made of different metals. The commonest were in brass or bronze. The merchants and tradesmen ordered various devices to be engraved on the bezels of their rings, and sometimes they gave the appearance of heraldic blazons.

Lozengiform bezel with pellet at each end, median transverse bar and hatched field. 5.18 grams, 21.00 mm overall, 16.98 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L 1/2, USA 6, Europe 11.87, Japan 11)



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Having a D-section hoop and discoid bezel with an incuse image of a walking centaur holding a sword. 3.26 grams, 22.16 mm overall, 18.07 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)



Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

A similar ring with a silver sheet, hammered and notched decoration, was found in the Necropolis of Hoca, Vojvodina, and dated 11th-15th century A.D. The necropolis was related to Hungarian settlers.

Comprising a thick hoop with stud to the underside, stepped shoulders, tiered bezel with reserved cross on a hatched field. 10.54 grams, 27.45 mm overall, 18.89 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Rectangular in form with a circular hole in its top right corner, decorated with a heater shield containing a two-strand cross bottony terminals, set within a red enamel field; diagonal hatching in the two outer angles. 5.74 grams, 21 mm



Found Crowmarsh, South Oxfordshire, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.SUR-CCD479.

D-section hoop and disc bezel with crowned 'H' between fronds; attached to a collector's card with sample seal impression and legend 'London?'. 11.69 grams total, 26.75 mm overall, 22.20 mm internal diameter (approximate size British X, USA 11 1/2, Europe 26.29, Japan 25)



Found London, UK. From the collection of Dame Joan Evans (1893-1977), thence gifted during her lifetime to a gentleman collector friend from South East England.

Dame Joan Evans, DBE, FSA, FRHistS, enjoyed a long and distinguished career as an author and historian. She was appointed the president of the Society of Antiquaries in 1959, the first woman to hold this position, serving until 1964. From 1948 to 1951, Joan Evans served as President of the Royal Archaeological Institute. She received the Society’s gold medal in 1973. Joan Evans was honoured with a host of honorary degrees and fellowships, as well as fellowships of the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Society of Literature. She was a Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur, and was appointed a Dame of the British Empire in 1976. She served as a trustee of both the London and the British museums, and as a member of the advisory council of the Victoria and Albert Museum.