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

Flat-section hoop supporting a disc bezel with two niello-inlaid portrait busts: the male with cruciform upstand to his crown fitted with chain pendants, cloak (chlamys) pinned at right shoulder, and ornamented brooch with pendant of pearls, globe with cross beside his shoulder, in his right hand; the empress with similar crown, braided hair, slanted lines of pellets to her embroidered robe. 4.81 grams, 22.31 mm overall, 18.87 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



Acquired from Derek Content, 8 May 1976. Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of the original handwritten invoice from Derek Content, 8 May 1976. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13407- 259829.

Thick flat-section hoop with incised legend 'ΑΓIOC ΑΓIOC ΑΓIOC KYPIOC' (holy holy holy Lord); oblate bezel with Mary Theotokos and infant, flanked by crosses potent and feint Greek legend to the border 'K[...]ΛHI / [..]OCHΘI'. 8.09 grams, 20.91 mm overall, 17.83 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)



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.13416-259786.

The ring belongs to the type of Eastern Roman band rings featuring a sheet-metal bezel, common between the 6th and 7th centuries. The inscription "thrice Holy" (*Aghios-Aghios-Aghios*) refers to the Cherubikon hymn, while the protective formula *K[YPIE] / [B]OHΘI* ...*ΛHI*.... ("Lord, help *ΛHI*") refers to the ring's owner.

With discoid bezel, nielloed running wave border enclosing an equal-arm cross and legend 'EΛΙCCEOY'. 7.64 grams, 23.02 mm overall, 18.99 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. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13423-259839.

The ring belongs to the category of Eastern Roman rings with an applied bezel, a type particularly common between the 6th and 8th centuries A.D. The inscription recites 'EΛΙCCEOY’ (belonging to Elisseus).

Substantial hoop with integral rosette bezel, ring-and-dot motifs to the upper face surrounding a monogram including 'ΝIKΟΥ' and other letters. 14.74 grams, 27.85 mm overall, 20.28 x 18.97 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. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13413-259782.

The ring belongs to the category of Eastern Roman rings featuring a polygonal band and an applied bezel, a type particularly common in the 7th century A.D. It bears the monogram ΝIKΟΥ (of Nikos).

Oblate bezel with recessed panel in the upper face, reserved tetragram with letters 'B O H Θ H C o ν, K y p I E' = 'Help, Lord'; traces of enamel fill. 8.06 grams, 24.19 mm overall, 20.04 x 18.33 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)



Acquired from Derek Content, 8 May 1976. Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by an original handwritten invoice from Derek Content, 8 May 1976. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13408- 259828.

The invocation Βοήθησον, Κύριε(Help, Lord) is common in Eastern Roman tetragrams. It was the usual invocation used in baptism or other religious celebrations, but also a strong appeal for help from the Almighty in war or in other difficulties. Therefore, the inscription on the ring can be assumed to have a prophylactic function.

Flat rectangular bezel flanked at each shoulder by a cluster of granules, border of punched triangles enclosing Greek legend 'ΘEOΔΟPA K C'. 4.92 grams, 21.72 mm overall, 18.23 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)



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

The ring belongs to an unconventional category of 6th-century A.D. Eastern Roman rings, featuring a rectangular bezel and the junction of the bezel and hoop with six gold pellets at each shoulder. The inscription could be interpreted as 'ΘEOΔΟPAK[I]C' (of Theodorakis).

Slender hoop and integral scaphoid plaque, three-line Greek legend 'KEBO IΘI ANACTACI'. 2.08 grams, 20.81 mm overall, 18.42 x 15.48 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.

The ring belongs to the category of Romano-Eastern rings with an applied bezel, a type particularly common between the 6th and 8th centuries AD. The inscription recites 'KE BOIΘI ANACTACI'. i.e. ‘Κύριε Boήθει Aναστασi’ (Lord help Anastasius).

Slender flat-section hoop with clasped hands (mane in fede) to underside flanked by hatched cuffs; profile dove to each shoulder; bezel pierced with knotwork motif. 2.27 grams, 20.90 mm overall, 19.34 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)



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

Oblate bezel with incuse monogram comprising 'IΦωY' and a cross. 3.25 grams, 21.84 mm overall, 16.96 x 17.80 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



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

The ring belongs to the category of Eastern Roman rings with an applied bezel, a type particularly common between the 6th and 8th centuries AD. Although some letters have been effaced, this ring appears to bear the monogram '[TΡ]ΙΦω[ΝO]Y' (of Trifonos).

Carinated hoop with openwork bezel and granules at the attachment points; annular in form with cruciform monogram (or Christogram). 1.96 grams, 20.85 mm overall, 17.70 x 17.93 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.

Substantial hoop and applied quatrefoil bezel, incuse design comprising nimbate facing bust of Christ above a cross potent between male and female profile busts and flanked by kneeling winged and nimbate angels, legend 'VΓIA' (hygia 'good health') beneath. 22.45 grams, 27.95 mm overall, 18.82 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



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.13415-259785.

The ring belongs to the category of Eastern Roman rings featuring a polygonal band and an applied bezel, a type particularly common in the 7th century A.D., especially for marriage rings. It shows the conventional depiction of the bride and groom blessed by God.

With broad carinated hoop, low-relief monogram to each shoulder ('K' and 'A'); discoid bezel with central lion rampant and two concentric bands of text: outer (retrograde) - '+ΔA COCO AΠO KVNAINOHTOYA' (I save from danger); inner (sinistrograde) -'+XPICOC KOCMH ΔAKTHO KAI ΨIKI ΛΟΓH' (Gold adorns the finger and soul and mind). 16.55 grams, 25.91 mm overall, 20.50 x 18.21 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)



Acquired from Derek Content, 9 March 1983. 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, 9 March 1983. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13406- 259827.

This massive ring is a good example of how inscriptions in jewellery became more prominent during Late Byzantium. Here, the inscription is particularly developed and combines various functions, partially expressed in the concentric arrangement of the decoration. The Frankish style is reflected by the heraldic lion at the centre of the bezel, while the Eastern Roman component is strongly visible in the decoration of the shoulders.