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LOT 0222
Byzantine Architectural Electrum Ring with Emerald Engraved with a Dove
6TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/2 in. (7.55 grams, 37.12 mm overall, 20.74 mm internal diameter (approximate size British W, USA 11, Europe 25, Japan 24)).
With facetted hoop and conical architectural bezel with applied filigree decoration, set with an emerald with engraved dove flying left.
ProvenanceEx Michael O'hara collection, before 1989.
From the private collection of the late A.B., London, UK.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12004-213033.
Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, items 483, 484, for the type; Baldini Lippolis, I., L'Oreficeria nell'Impero di Costantinopoli tra IV e VII secolo (the Jewellery in the Empire of Constantinople between IV and VII century, in Italian), Bari, 1999, pp.229ff, for the type of rings, items pp.202-203; Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, items 638-639, for similar types.
FootnotesThe quality of this finger ring suggests that it was the work of an excellent goldsmith who may have worked for the court in Constantinople or an important provincial imperial capital, like Ravenna or Carthage.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0222
Byzantine Architectural Electrum Ring with Emerald Engraved with a Dove
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
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Byzantine Bronze Trade Weight Collection
Circa 6th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Mixed group of square trade weights with punched and incised detailing. 36.4 grams total, 7-14 mm
Acquired since the 1970s. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine Bronze Openwork Key
Circa 8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,210
Formed with a hollow bow open to the sides and with lateral struts, each plate pierced with seven equal-arm crosses; pierced lug above for suspension; barrel-type shank with rectangular bit pierced with two similar crosses. 59 grams, 87 mm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
The repeated use of the cross symbol may indicate an ecclesiastical use. -
Byzantine Bronze Expanding-Arm Cross Mount
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Finial from a processional or altar cross, with incised guilloche bands to the obverse and central socket for a cabochon, lobes to the angles; pierced lower arm with attachment scars to both faces. 56.4 grams, 98 mm
Belgium collection, 1980s. From the collection of an London antiquarian.
These kind of crosses were mainly used for religious purposes. However, in 6th and 7th centuries A.D., they could be fixed at the top of the standards of the Roman Christian Army, as clearly described from the Arab sources speaking about the battle of Yarmouk. For this battle the Arab sources give a detailed description of the Roman standards, with at the top a golden cross, a golden cross tied to a silver chain, a cross with glittering jewels, a golden cross encrusted with jewels. The cross at the top of the standards, also of small dimensions like this one, is visible on miniature statuette of Roman Cavalrymen/Military Saints from Roman Egypt.
