Byzantine Bronze Ring with Saints

Columnar stem with conical base extending to a square-section shank. 18.8 grams, 31 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Stamping in antiquity and in the Roman Empire was under strict regulations, and it was not limited to food and liquid containers. Bricks and tiles used in construction were impressed with the names of magistrates, workshops, estate owners from whom the material came, and the names of individual makers. Among the myriad Late Roman stamps, a great number were to mark bread or containers holding flour and other foods, as well as a variety of liquids such as wine, oil, fish and fruits preserved in sauces, medical ointments, even water. It is interesting to note as the Jewish symbols here engraved are very stylised: as mentioned by various scholars, the Jewish representations of shofar and lulav on this category of stamps degenerated in quality in Late Antiquity and this is way there are variously dated between the 4th and the 7th century.

With a tapering octagonal body, the military saint on horseback holding a long spear, the horse wearing a detailed harness; set in a conical silver frame with suspension loop and crenellated edge. 7.9 grams, 30 mm



From an old New Zealand private collection. Acquired on the New Zealand art market circa 2014. Property of a New Zealand legal professional. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12327-223721. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The motif of a saint on horseback was common in the Romano-Christian culture of the 6th-7th centuries. The figure of a saint symbolised protection of the local church or monastery and its community, and could also be related to the priest leader of the community, as their personal seal.

Comprising a miniature amphora with small lateral handles, larger ampulla with transverse ribbing, open at the rim. 68 grams total, 36-52 mm



Acquired on the UK art market during the late 20th century. From the private collection of David King (1940-2024), Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.