Byzantine Ribbed Glass Cosmetic Bottle with Trail

Comprising a triple geometric rhomboidal figure, where three rhombuses are drawn one inside the other and distinguished by different shades of yellow, white and light red, the latter figure marked in the centre by a white space; the three figures are vertically arranged in a perfect geometric axis on a light background. 36.3 kg, 114.5 cm including frame



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11823-207411.

The tendency to use abstract and geometric motifs characterises the mosaic art of the Levant under the domination of Byzantium. Close ties can be identified between these rhomboidal figures and those of some of the famous Lebanese mosaics of Beit el Dine, or the mosaics of Tiberias and Hammat, which represent the last expression of Roman art in that area before the Islamic conquest.

Comprising six circular commercial weights of different types and sizes, including examples stamped with letter motifs. 61 grams total, 10-27 mm



Ex Simmons Gallery, London E11, UK, in the 1990s. From a North London collection.

The biggest weight is a one ounce weight, having an engraved monogram of Γ and Α. The flans of circular coin weights were turned on a lathe in the 6th century A.D., giving them a neat appearance. The designs are usually quite simple and often crudely executed, either engraved or slipped.

The frontal section of an enkolpion, with the representation of crucified Jesus among Saint Mary and Saint John; Christ dressed in a long tunic (colobium) decorated with parallel stripes (clavi) and patterned hatches, his head turned to the right; his wounds on the cross are marked by nails; the cross standing upon a small hill, identified by rare inscription 'Ο ΤΟΠΟС КРАΝΙΟΥ' (a place of a skull, Matthew 27:33), indicating Golgota; the titulum with inscription 'Ι(ΗСΟΥ)С X(ΡΙ СΤΟ)C' (Jesus Christ), and the sun (left) with the moon (right); the central inscription corresponds to the words of the Gospel of John 19:26: 'here is your son, (ΙΔΕ Ο Υ {ΙΟ} С {C}ΟΥ ) here is your Mother (ΙΔΟΥ Η ΜΗΤ{Η}Ρ CΟΥ)'. 56.5 grams, 86 mm



Formerly in a 1980s collection. Acquired on the UK art market. Previously the property of an Essex gentleman.

Usually the reliquary crosses or enkolpia, were composed of two separate halves, inside of which a relic of a saint was contained; this could have been a piece of cloth or a bone. This extraordinary piece is very rare due to containing part of the Gospel of John about the Crucifixion.