Byzantine Bronze Epigraphic Rings

A mixed group of silver-gilt liturgical items comprising: a hanging lamp with flared foot, carinated segmented body, flared neck with band of repoussé quatrefoils and florets, rolled rim, three suspension chains with loops and hook; a hollow piriform finial, possibly from a throne or a standard finial, with ropework collar and vertical tendril bands with pellets alternating with plain segments; a two-part vestment clasp set, each half formed as a parcel-gilt scallop shell with flared rim and pierced trapezoidal plaque, hook-and-eye hinge. 201 grams total, 90-110mm

Very fine condition.

Property of a Surrey gentleman; formerly from the private collection of a Canadian gentleman; from his father's collection formed 1965-1990; accompanied by an archaeological report by Dr. Raffaele D’Amato, Art Loss Register certificate numbers S001261511, S001261512 & S001261513, dated 5 September 2017 and a copy of a photograph taken prior to professional cleaning; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10373-167792.

Hanging lamps, of different dimensions, were used to create the spiritual atmosphere surrounding the Divine Liturgy. Light was important not only from a practical point of view but also symbolically. The parcel gilt flask, if not the finial of a throne, episcopal chair or church labarum (standard), could be a miniature version of a large ceramic oil or wine container with a pointed base for setting them in sand at the cargo hold of a ship, and was probably used as a small flask for myrrh, the liturgical oil. The ornamented wreath border between shoulder and neck of the finial is a typical Byzantine decoration in the workshops active in the Imperial capital of Constantinople, as attested on a vase in the same ornament and style preserved in the Louvre collections (RGZM, 2010, p.173).

Kidney-shaped in plan with segmented loop, curved tongue with rectangular shield, incised zigzag and pseudo-script. 26.5 grams, 41 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

Comprising five hinged sections, each with three central bosses with pelletted collars, further pellets to the field; possibly from a belt. 61.7 grams, 15 cm



UK private collection. Acquired from York Antiques Centre, in 2001. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman.