Byzantine Silver-Gilt Temple Ring Pair

Bifacial lead plaque with figurative decoration: obverse with Saint George, nimbate, on his horse killing a fallen foe with his spear; 'ΓΕΟΡΓ' label above the horse's neck, raised border with pellets and pellet clusters; reverse with relief pattern of a double circle decorated with double arcs forming a cross pellet to the centre. 48.8 grams, 64 mm



Private collection Mr S.A., Switzerland, before 1992, thence by descent.

According to the Christian tradition, Saint George would have lived between the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century: born into a noble Christian family, he became an officer in the Roman army and was then named a prefect by Diocletian. But when the same emperor decided to resume the persecutions, Saint George became a victim despite his important political rank. His role in the development of the faith is so important that he is included among the Great Martyrs of the Eastern Church and his fight against the dragon becomes a symbol par excellence of the fight for Good which defeats Evil. In the Christian symbolism of the Middle Ages, the circle, a perfect geometric shape which has neither beginning nor end, designates the universe whose centre is the source and thus evokes Jesus.

With carinated profile to the bowl and flared foot, carinated rim above segmented band to inner face, rosette and central tondo with sgraffito perching bird in profile. 410 grams, 17 cm wide



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Comprising a D-section shank, scooped shoulders with stepped spurs, rectangular bezel with inset blue spinel. 3.76 grams, 23.89 mm overall, 17.89 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



Ex Hansons, Derby, UK. Private Buckingham, UK, collection.