Byzantine Bronze Long Cross Pendant

Showing a bust of a man dressed in a cloak and with his head turned to look over his shoulder, possibly depicting St John; rectangular in plan with rounded corners. 2.52 grams, 19 mm



Acquired from Artemis Gallery, 2003. Private collection, Europe.

The circular hoop composed of two carinated hoops, a finely decorated trumpet bezel set with a later flat-cut deep red garnet framed by a fine band of granules, and four oval beads enriched with granules supporting the bezel. 5.76 grams, 31.57 mm overall, 17.90 x 18.03 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



Ex collection of a professional lady, 1970-1990s. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information page with provenance. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13536-263217.

The architectural shape of the ring copies Eastern Roman prototypes, and it is possible that it was made in Western workshops of the Migration period, which tend to be more ornate, with greater use of twisted wire filigree and garnet. Eastern Gothic and Merovingian versions of the architectural ring have been found widely in central and Western Europe.

Flat in section with pierced lug and suspension ring, lightly inscribed to the ends of the arms 'NI / KA / HC / ΛC'. 10.3 grams, 56 mm



Acquired in Munich, Germany, in 2001. European private collection. From the private collection of a Kent, UK, gentleman.