Byzantine Bronze Ring with Eagle

With inscription '+ΘKEB / OΘTO / ΔΟΛΟ / ΤΘΛΑ' for 'ΘΕΟΤΟΚΕ ΒΟΗΘΕΛ ΤΩ ΔΟΥΛΩ ΤΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΛΑΔΕ' (Mother of God, help Lades, the servant of God). 13.1 grams, 18 mm



From an important collection formed before 1988, London and Geneva.

With hoop formed as a band of quatrefoils, applied discoid bezel with facing busts flanking a cross potent, legend 'OMO / NOIA' (harmony). 6.47 grams, 21.52 mm overall, 19.27 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)



Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12350-222584

The marriage ring is one of the typologies on which figural decorations are frequently found. Generally marriage rings are engraved with a representation of the husband and wife, sometimes accompanied by Christ, 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 century.

With gusset to the hoop, each triangular shoulder with three cells containing garnet cabochons, bezel a piriform cell with granules and inset garnet cabochon. 4.04 grams, 23.53 mm overall, 18.52 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)



Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman.