Byzantine Lead Cross

The hollow-formed, tongue-shaped body adorned with a filigree border, repoussé figure with pellets on the torso and serpents framing the head; two ancient repairs to verso. 7.40 grams, 39 mm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The beautiful burials of horsemen found in the Avar necropolis of central Europe date to the last third of the 7th century A.D. and the early 8th century A.D. show wealth and pomp. This type of belt element, although present in the Avar graves, was probably produced in the workshops of the Eastern Roman Empire, from where they reached the Avar lands as imperial gifts or spoils of war. They could be simple fastenings for belts, or part of multiple belts, to which sabres and knives were attached, commonly used among Avars, Bulgars and Romans during the 6th -7th centuries A.D.

Comprising: a large octofoil harness frontal plate with beaded rim and granulation; studs with quatrefoil plates; bell-shaped dangles. 556 grams total, 11-92 mm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12687-234699. 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.

Each a spherical cage with ropework texturing, granule at each node; oval glass bead within. 13.8 grams, 22 mm each



Acquired on the Swiss art market, 1998. Private collection, Europe. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.