Byzantine Bronze Ring with Spread Eagle

Formed in the half-round as a youthful female bust, a cross in the middle of the high hair arrangement (propoloma). 192 grams, 97 mm



Ex law professor in Alexandria, prior to 1930. Ex collection of M. Bouvier, Switzerland (1901-1980). Private collection, UK.

The image of the Roman empress during the late Roman Empire was connected to Christianity by the figure of the Empress Helena. Constantine had several cities renamed Helenopolis in honour of his mother, Helena, and she gained the political verification of power with the status nobilissima femina in 318 A.D. and the rank of Augusta in 324 A.D. Alongside her social and political image, Helena also had a significant reputation as a good Christian who was a patron and took care of poor people. Owing to this powerful religious image that was created, all other Christian women during the Eastern Roman Empire were encouraged spiritually by the fact that Helena was the mother of the first Christian emperor, and the image of the Roman empress was connected to the Christian image of the Mother of God, and represented on weights, bronze appliques and, in this case, maybe as an upper mount of a tripod.

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.

Expanding-arm type with integral loop. 2.07 grams, 24 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.