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LOT 1114
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Inscriptions
11TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (5.79 grams, 23.02 mm overall, 19.43 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)).
Flat-section hoop with incuse foliate designs on each of the shoulders, oval bezel with inscription in two lines: 'ΙΗX ΗΝΑ' = Ἰη[σοῦς] Χ[ριστός] H N[I]KA' = Jesus Christ and the Victory. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000.
From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Cf. Đurović, I., Средњовековни накит из збирки Народног музеја Крагујевац (Medieval jewelry from the collections of the National Museum Kragujevac, in Serbian), Крагујевац, 2012, fig.60, for the type.
FootnotesIn this category of rings, the oval hoop gradually widens into a full shoulder and a massive, flattened bezel. The bezel is an ellipsoidal field, decorated with a dedicatory inscription to Christ. The letters are roughly engraved. This ring is likely to have come from a Byzantine-era provincial Balkan workshop.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Bronze Ring with Warrior Saint
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
With an expanding D-section hoop and a raised discoid bezel with a stylised nimbate figure holding a spear and a shield. 5.15 grams, 22.16 mm overall, 19.05 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)
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. In this circumstance, the bezel is decorated with the stylised image, most probably of a military saint, who was asked for protection and blessing. -
Byzantine Terracotta Oil Lamp with Grape Vines
5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
With a discoid body and spike handle; circular filling hole enclosed within bands of raised grape-and-vine motifs, hatched shoulder, low-relief starburst to the base. 109 grams, 88 mm
From the Lloyd and Jeanne Raport collection, Washington, D.C. and Florida, USA, formed between 1972-2000. Acquired through Bonhams, London, UK. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Spread Eagle
12th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Discoid bezel with border, incuse spread eagle motif with head turned. 2.51 grams, 22.81 mm overall, 19.97 x 20.21 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U 1/2, USA 10 1/4, Europe 23.15, Japan 22)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
