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LOT 0869
Byzantine Bronze Weight Collection
8TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
3/8 - 3/4 in. (92 grams total, 9-21 mm).
Consisting of square-shaped weights of various sizes, most displaying markings to one or more faces in the form of Christian crosses; X-motifs; pricked letters; inscribed Greek letters; together with one weight featuring gusseted side walls. [7, No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx Simmons Gallery, London E11, UK, in the 1990s.
From a North London collection.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Gold Filigree Finial
6th-14th century A.D.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £125
Of hollow, bulbous form, now slightly squashed, four pellets to each side and an apex pellet, granule clusters to both hemispheres, socket to base with roughly square-shaped cross-section, three circular attachment piercings with granulated borders. 2.47 grams, 17 mm
From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s. -
Byzantine Gold and Crystal Seal Pendant
6th-7th century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
Composed of a tapering octagonal body, intaglio image of a robed and winged figure of Archangel Michael standing left, holding a Christian cross to base, granulated gold frame with suspension loop. 9.27 grams, 29 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11864-200658.
The Roman motif of winged Victory bearing a laurel wreath was slowly replaced with the image of Archangel Michael carrying the victory cross when the Roman Empire converted to Christianity. -
Byzantine Bronze Empress Mount
5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040
Formed in the half-round as a youthful female bust, a cross in the middle of the high hair arrangement (propoloma). 193 grams, 97 mm
Ex Law Professor in Alexandria, prior to 1930. Ex collection M. Bouvier, Switzerland (1901-1980).
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 and the rank of Augusta in 324. 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.