Byzantine Glass Medallion Pendant with Moses Hitting the Rock

Each formed as a dove with garnet set wings and eyes (one eye absent), beaded border framing the raised settings; triangular tail with garnet insert; body with incised feather detailing; four loops to the underside with pearl drops (one absent) and a double loop on the back. 12.8 grams total, 32 mm



Art market before 2000. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12104214176.

There are good points of comparison between the earring from the Piazza della Consolazione treasure in Rome and the Cluj (Pietroasa) with our earring to suggest that these should all be dated from the second quarter to the second half of the 5th century A.D. The earring set of Piazza della Consolazione treasure is decorated with radiating pearls on wires, in the fashion of the Cluj medallion and our earring.

With facetted shoulders and octagonal bezel, central swan motif surrounded by enigmatic Greek text 'IOHMOK HΠ[.]IKO'. 12.22 grams, 25.54 mm overall, 21.20 mm internal diameter (approximate size British X 1/2, USA 11 3/4, Europe 26.92, Japan 25)



Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman.

Similar rings have been found in the area of Vojvodina, where the military and ecclesiastical presence of Byzantium was still strong until the 13th century. The signet ring shows a Greek inscription probably made by Slavonic people using Greek letters as an 'imitation' of earlier Eastern Roman rings.

Capsule pendant with domed ends and openwork filigree bands between, ribbed suspension tube, granule finials. 0.91 grams, 15 mm



From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.