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

With flat-section faceted hoop, incuse legend '+KύριE B[οή]ΘEI…TOY TIC ΦΟPOYCIA+' between pointillé borders; ellipsoid plaque with crucifixion scene, 'IPINΗ' in exergue. 5.41 grams, 20.78 mm overall, 19.12 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)



Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by an original loan agreement dated 2 April 1997 for US$18,000. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13422-259838.

The inscription 'KύριE B[οή]ΘEI…TOY TIC ΦΟPOYCIA+' = 'Lord helps the wearer of this' is indicative of the devotional and protective character of the ring. The word 'IPINΗ' (peace) at the feet of the Cross invokes the words of Christ in John 14:27 (Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you).

With stepped shoulders ornamented with foliate detailing, discoid bezel with concentric rings and 'IHS' legend. 6.56 grams, 22.65 mm overall, 19.46 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)



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.13417-259787.

The ring bears the inscription IHS, a monogram representing the Holy Name of Jesus. This monogram derives from the combination of the three letters I (iota), H (eta), and S (sigma)—the first three letters of the Greek name for Jesus, ΙΗΣΟΥΣ. The inscription was likely added by a Latin between the 11th and 12th centuries to a ring forged in Byzantium, or the ring itself may be considered a product of the Latins of the East, the Crusaders of Outremer.

With niello-filled tendril scrolls to the shoulders, ellipsoid bezel with lateral knops, niello-filled border and legend 'ΚΕΒΟΗΘΙ/ΤΟΝΦOΡO/HTATω' (may God help the wearer). 7.51 grams, 22.33 mm overall, 19.36 x 17.21 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



Collection of Maritine, Countess of Behague, from the estate of the Marquis de Ganay. Sotheby's, Monaco, 5 December 1987, no.202. Objects with Semitic Inscriptions, Jewish, Early Christian and Byzantine Antiquities, 20 November 1989, no.331. Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant 1989 catalogue pages.

Cup-shaped bezel with inset gemstone, incuse profile robed figure holding cross and rod (or shield). 4.97 grams, 23.37 mm overall, 18.45 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.13418-259791.

The figure may be Christ bearing the cross to Calvary, or perhaps a soldier with a spear and sword. The second possibility is more likely, as the ring could represent a Christian warrior, defender of the faith. The image is reflected in the image of Christ the Warrior carrying the cross and the gospel in the Episcopal Palace of Ravenna.

Round-section hoop with ellipsoid cell to the bezel flanked by granule clusters; inset carnelian cloison with incised cross potent, 'A' at the foot and profile bust. 1.97 grams, 21.42 mm overall, 17.65 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.

With oblate bezel, cruciform monogram incorporating 'ΛΩΑΥ'. 12.58 grams, 27.31 mm overall, 19.62 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)



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.13412-259781.

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. Similar to a ring held at the Benaki Museum in Athens, this ring bears the monogram ΙΩΑΝΟΥ (of Iohannes), likely belonging to the Consul of the same name—a high-ranking Imperial official active during the 6th and 7th centuries.

D-section hoop with flat shoulders, oblate stepped bezel, incuse monogram comprising 'A, O, N, Υ' and other characters and a cross potent in the field. 11.75 grams, 24.96 mm overall, 20.75 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T 1/2, USA 9 3/4, Europe 21.89, Japan 21)



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.13414-259784.

The ring belongs to the category of Eastern Roman rings featuring a convex band and a hammered-in bezel, which were particularly widespread between the 4th and 7th centuries AD. The ring seems to bear the monogram K[ω]NCTANTINOY + (of Constantine).

C-section hoop with flared shoulders, bezel with discoid cell and gold cap, legend '+ AΓΙΑ / ΜΑΡΙΑBO / HΘΙΔΑΥ / ΙΘΙΟΥ / *+*' (Holy Mary, help your servant Iohannes). 10.41 grams, 26.22 mm overall, 19.84 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)



Acquired from Derek Content. Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by a typed and signed invoice from Derek Content.

Biconvex in section with gold frame and beaded edge, ribbed loop above; reserved winged figure with processional cross. 4.66 grams, 25 mm



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.13425-259853.

The angel was probably taken from an original seal showing the Archangel Gabriel visiting Mary and then transformed into a pendant. The motifs on the stamp seals are predominantly religious in nature and include images of Christ and the saints, which could suggest that they were used for clerical purposes—perhaps in monasteries.

Lozengiform silver frame with solid reverse, beaded edges; incised reserved cross pommy design to reverse; articulated polyhedral suspension loop; obverse open with inset carved cross fleury decorated with ring-and-dot motifs. 4.61 grams, 31 mm



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

Pyramidal in form with openwork silver frame and loop above; frame with incised tremello detailing; underside with incuse Annunciation scene, robed Mary standing beside profile winged archangel Gabriel. 5.98 grams, 27 mm



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.13424-259842.

The motifs on the stamp seals are predominantly religious in nature and include images of Christ and the saints, which could suggest that they were used for clerical purposes—perhaps in monasteries. The Annunciation is the most common festival scene found on rock-crystal seals.

Bullet-shaped with flat top and transverse piercing; underside with incuse wreath border, cross pommy and flanking legend; top with wreath and cross moline. 9.28 grams, 22 mm



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