Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp Stands

A hollow-formed gold finger ring with ellipsoid stepped bezel, granule to one edge for alignment, inset cabochon intaglio of a nude male gripping the edges of an arch. 7.52 grams, 24.20 mm overall, 18.16 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 9.95, Japan 9)



Private Swiss collection, acquired 1999. Ex Surena collection, London, UK. Private European collection.

A copper-alloy hair pin with tapering round-section stem, bifacial lion's paw terminal. 22.1 grams, 12.6 cm



Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.

In the Parthian and Sassanian Empires and the Graeco-Roman world, elaborate coiffures were a form of conspicuous consumption and continued to be one of the most common forms of reifying social status and economic wealth. Often using expensive ornaments, such as gold and silver hairpins and wigs, these coiffures must have made it clear who had the leisure time to expend several hours creating an elaborate hairstyle.

A trio of wheel-thrown dishes, each with a shallow foot: a turquoise-glazed example with helical motif around the rim, roundels and central interlace motif to the bowl; a second turquoise-glazed bowl decorated with dark amorphous patches to the rim and an interlace-style motif to the bowl; a dark blue-glazed bowl with black strips to rim, three nodules to bowl, concentric roundels framing an interlace design; iridescent surfaces. 599 grams total, 14.5-15.5 cm wide

Fine condition, minor abrasions and nicks.

Private California collection, USA. With Artemis Gallery, Colorado, USA. Private collection of Professor Kenneth Graham, London, UK. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Artemis Gallery.