Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

With an oval bezel engraved in fine outline with Saint Catherine of Alexandria, shown standing frontally beside the spiked wheel of her martyrdom; the shoulders engraved with stylised floral ornament, curved fluting and rows of beaded decoration extending around the hoop. 2.62 grams, 19.22 mm overall, 17.42 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



Acquired on the European art market. UK, private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13505-263380.

Saint Catherine was among the saints represented on late medieval English iconographic rings, which served as personal expressions of devotion.

Heater shield to each keeled shoulder displaying a fleur-de-lys on a hatched field and five arrowheads (for the five wounds of Christ); rectangular keeled bezel with standing figure to each panel: Mary with book on the left, Christ triumphant bearing a sword on the right. 9.85 grams, 25.63 mm overall, 20.90 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U 1/2, USA 10 1/4, Europe 23.15, Japan 22)

Fine condition.

Acquired in the 1970s. Ex E.C. Fuller collection. Ex Isle of Avalon Coins and Antiquities, Leiston, Suffolk, UK. Property of a Kent gentleman since 2010.

Twisted ropework detailing to D-section hoop, shoulders with raised median bands developing three panels, each with a reserved standing figure of a saint. 6.94 grams, 25.13 mm overall, 21.69 x 19.20 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)



From the collection of a gentleman born in the late 19th century, formed 1940s-1970s. From an old Staffordshire family collection; thence by descent.

The bezel divided longitudinally into two sub-rectangular facets, each transversely concave, meeting in a pointed ridge at the middle; both facets engraved: the figure on the right a draped, mature and bearded male with an object on his left shoulder and raised hem to his robe, likely St. Christopher bearing the Christ child; the left-hand side with unidentified figure facing left; shoulders and hoop decorated with a continuation of the central rib develping to a row of beaded pellets; shoulders double faceted, each decorated with an incised branch of four flanking leaves and a pointed flower bud; hoop separated from the shoulders by notches flanking the beaded rib. 4.72 grams, 23.28 mm overall, 18.70 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Loders, Dorset, UK, on 1st November 2025, declared as Treasure under the Treasure Act with reference number 2025 T1471, subsequently disclaimed by the Crown and returned to the finder. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.DOR-B066F7. Accompanied by a copy of the report on the find of potential Treasure for H M Coroner with reference no.2025 T1471.

Similarly decorated examples can be found in the PAS database, including GLO-A3DF57 (2013 T653), SUSS-72DoD5 (2003 T318) and BM-D83D1C (2003 T84). These examples are dated to c. 1400 to 1550. Similar iconographic rings with dual- or triple-celled bezels are found in the British Museum’s collection (1891,1124.1 and 1871,0303.2), both dated to the 15th century. The latter features a recognisably similar depiction of St Christopher, albeit clearer and more detailed. The second figure on the ring is another saint, possibly Saint Barbara or St Margaret, although more defining details are obscured.

Of episcopal type, centred by a square cabochon sapphire in a closed-back collet, four smaller collet settings arranged around the central setting set with emerald and amethyst cabochons, the bezel supported by a narrow flat-section hoop. 1.94 grams, 22.42 mm overall, 19.35 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



Acquired on the European art market. UK, private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13501-263469.

Finger rings with a principal stone and subsidiary settings in separate collets came into use in the early 13th century, and this form of simple low collar continued in use to the 15th century.

Flat hoop and discoid bezel with central cell and inset intaglio lion couchant; flange rim with impressed detailing and cross potent; hoop with enigmatic retrograde legend in serifed Greek and Latin capitals '+*Π*O*N*O*Y*O*I*E*N'. 4.04 grams, 19.36 mm overall, 16.48 x 15.80 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L 1/2, USA 6, Europe 11.87, Japan 11)



Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13452-259841.

These aristocratic rings were set with red or blue paste, engraved in intaglio with the heraldic symbol of the family. The round borders were often engraved with indeterminate inscriptions, using Latin and Greek letters.

Slender hoop with biconical bezel and inset sapphire cabochon; enigmatic incised legend to hoop 'IAS[.]NV NAIA NV[.]VM / IAS[.]VI . V . IAIA. IONV.' 1.45 grams, 24.03 mm overall, 17.98 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)



Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13420-259793.

The legend appears to contain repeated syllabic sequences, perhaps a personal name.

Comprising a D-section hoop with clasped-hands motif to the underside; three radiating cells to the bezel, the outer two each with an amethyst cabochon, the central one absent. 2.14 grams, 20.76 mm overall, 17.48 x 16.74 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 12)



Acquired from Derek Content, 23 January 1995. Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by an original invoice from Derek Content, 23 January 1995. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13453-259908.

The ring belongs to the category of fede rings, characterised by clasped hands on the back and ruby sets, conical bezels with oval settings. Sometimes, three knobs were used in place of the set of stones.

Thick plano-convex hoop with lion-head detail to each shoulder, flared shank and ellipsoid bezel with central field of rosettes, masks, and other motifs, surrounded by a border with stamped Cyrillic legend. 12.94 grams, 25.84 mm overall, 18.05 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent.

Comprising a broad lentoid-section hoop with notch to underside, twist detailing and low-relief nielloed scrolls and hatching; columnar bezel with ropework ornament; inset carnelian intaglio horseman holding a cross (or sword in scabbard) with legend 'MX AFB'. 18.12 grams, 30.74 mm overall, 18.29 x 20.30 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by correspondence from Derek Content including references from 8 June 1997.

With broad carinated hoop and discoid bezel; each facet of the hoop with niello-inlaid legend 'Arter D'Aielo'; trefoil to each spandrel; bezel with central motif of three trees within a circular border with Lombardic script legend 'X S' Den . Pere . Iohan' (seal of Denis, father of John); supplied with an old collector's record card. 12.84 grams, 25.24 mm overall, 20.10 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)



Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by an original 1970s-1980s typed collector's card.

Engraved around the exterior of the hoop with the names Melchior, Balthasar and Caspar, the bezel with a separate piece of silver fashioned to imitate the pyramidal form of a natural octahedral diamond and secured in a rub-over collet as though it were a gemstone. 2.79 grams, 28.23 mm overall, 20.95 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V 1/2, USA 10 3/4, Europe 24.4, Japan 23)



Acquired on the European art market. UK, private collection.

The names of the Three Magi formed part of the medieval repertoire of protective inscriptions used on amuletic jewellery.