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LOT 1415
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Christ
CIRCA 7TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (7.18 grams, 27.54 mm overall, 19.24 x 19.86 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)).
With faceted hoop and flared bezel, incuse nimbate bust flanked by crosses.
ProvenancePrivate collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent.
LiteratureCf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 488, for type.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1415
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Christ
Estimate £150 - 200€170 - 230 (for guidance only)$200 - 270 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£75 (EUR 87; USD 101) ‡+BP*
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Byzantine Gold Marriage Ring with Inscription
Circa 6th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,500
Round-section hoop with discoid bezel incuse image of two front-facing busts wearing beaded headdresses between a cross, legend 'ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑ' (harmony, unity) below; supplied with an impression. 7.81 grams, 21.81 mm overall, 18.33 x 17.78 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)
Mayfair gallery, London, UK, 1990s. From a Surrey, UK, gentleman’s Christian collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13542-263292.
The marriage ring is one of the typologies in which figural decorations are frequently found. Generally speaking, marriage rings are engraved with a representation of a husband and wife dressed as an Imperial couple, sometimes accompanied by Christ or by a cross, and usually engraved with wishes for 'harmony, health and the grace of God'. Rings of this type had been used since the late 4th century A.D. and remained extremely popular in Byzantium in the 6th and 7th centuries. -
Byzantine Gold Ring with Engraved Tetragram
Circa 8th century B.C.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
Oblate bezel with recessed panel in the upper face, reserved tetragram with letters 'B O H Θ H C o ν, K y p I E' = 'Help, Lord'; traces of enamel fill. 8.06 grams, 24.19 mm overall, 20.04 x 18.33 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)
Acquired from Derek Content, 8 May 1976. Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by an original handwritten invoice from Derek Content, 8 May 1976. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13408- 259828.
The invocation Βοήθησον, Κύριε(Help, Lord) is common in Eastern Roman tetragrams. It was the usual invocation used in baptism or other religious celebrations, but also a strong appeal for help from the Almighty in war or in other difficulties. Therefore, the inscription on the ring can be assumed to have a prophylactic function. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring Bezel with Facing Saints
Circa 10th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £60 - 80 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Discoid in plan with incuse equal-arm cross between two opposed bearded figures; old label to reverse. 3.98 grams, 21 mm
Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent.
