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LOT 1078
Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Plate
10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/8 in. (49.5 grams, 10.6 cm).
The enkolpion with hinged loop, nimbate figure in orans pose with a smaller robed figure before, inscription above, two nimbate saints to the arms.
ProvenanceAcquired on the German art market, 2003.
Private collection, Europe.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Lead Pilgrim's Head Holy Water Ampulla
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Moulded ampulla formed as a head with a short pointed beard, aquiline nose, scalplock; open to the underside of the neck. 26.18 grams, 37 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Saints
12th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Comprising a D-section hoop and a hexagonal bezel with two stylised figures flanking a cross. 5.33 grams, 25.53 mm overall, 21.73 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)
Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
The bronze ring is compactly worked from a single bar. The ring link, hemispherical in section, broadens at the top, where the ring bezel was hammered. The decoration inscribed in the hexagon shows in the upper field a military saint, surrounded by lines running parallel to the hexagon, which form a further decorative element. The bezel of these rings was decorated with stylised images, very often military saints, who were asked for protection and blessing. They are usually represented as one or two human figures, schematically depicted, inscribed in a circle, decorating the bezel. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Warrior Saints
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
D-section hoop and a raised circular bezel with two nimbate warrior figures. 5.54 grams, 22.88 mm overall, 19.22 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)
Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
These banded rings, made of bronze sheet with a flattened ellipsoidal head, could be decorated with geometric or animal ornaments executed by shallow carving, or human figures. In this circumstance, the bezel is decorated with stylised images, most probably military saints, who were asked for protection and blessing.
