Bronze Seal Matrix with Emperor Charles IV

Comprising polished bicone beads with gilt spacers. 41.7 grams, 21 cm



Private collection, UK.

Slender shank and expanding shoulders formed as lace cuffs, the bezel a pair of clasped hands gripping a heart. 3.71 grams, 23.07 mm overall, 20.14 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.

The two clasping hands with elaborate cuffs clutch a heart. This ring features the ancient fede motif of two hands clasped together, however in their grasp is a heart. These symbols represented love and fidelity. The ring was likely a token of love symbolising everlasting devotion, or possibly a betrothal ring. The word Fede takes its name from the Italian word for faith or trust with the two clasped hands symbolising an attachment that usually led to marriage. The motif of the two clasped hands was already in use in ancient Rome, it was a symbol of pledging of vows, which derives from the Roman ‘dextarum iunctio’ (right hand joined). Fede rings remained popular throughout Europe until well into the 19th century with their peak of manufacture during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Composed of alternating spherical and annular lapis and sodalite beads, interspersed with pale green twisted glass beads, a fish-shaped pendant with incised decoration; restrung. 42.7 grams, 42.2 cm



From London, UK, gallery collection, 1990s.