Byzantine Silver Ring with Cross

Intaglio with bearded profile bust facing left with a small cross to the shoulder; set into a later hollow-formed gold ring. 9.56 grams, 32.00 mm overall, 20.72 x 16.55 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



Acquired on the European art market. Private collection, England. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13137-249543.

D-section hoop with a rectangular bezel bearing an image of a warrior holding a long spear and a shield. 5.09 grams, 24.54 mm overall, 19.19mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)



Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

The bronze ring is compactly worked from a single bar. The ring link, hemispherical in section, broadens at the top, where the ring head was hammered. It has a hexagonal shape. The decoration inscribed in the hexagon shows a military saint in the upper field, surrounded by lines running parallel to the hexagon, which form a further decorative element. The bezel of these rings was decorated with stylised images, very often military saints, who were asked for protection and blessing.

Elongated expanding arms with shallow recess to obverse. 4.68 grams, 39 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.