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LOT 0181
Byzantine Silver Swan-Necked Ligula Spoon with Cross
5TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
9 in. (46 grams, 22.7 cm).
Shallow piriform bowl attached to a stepped baluster, hexagonal-section handle with spike finial; engraved cross potent to either side of the junction.
ProvenanceFrench private collection.
Acquired on the French art market in 2011.
Acquired by the present owner at the above.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12240-222347.
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.
Cf. Shelton, K.J., The Esquiline Treasure, London, 1981, item 27, for type.
FootnotesThe lateral incised cross motifs suggest that the spoon may have had a liturgical purpose, possibly associated with baptism.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0181
Byzantine Silver Swan-Necked Ligula Spoon with Cross
Estimate £1,800 - 2,400€2,090 - 2,780 (for guidance only)$2,430 - 3,240 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine Lead Plaque with Menorah Inscribed by Jakob the Scribe
5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,120
Fish-shaped lead plaque with low-relief stamped panel, menorah and legend; impression from a wine amphora stamp, rectangular with a raised rim in the name of Jakob the Scribe: ΕΙΑ - ΚΟY / ΛΙΛ - ΕΒΑ (retrograde); seven-branched menorah between a shofar (right) and lulav (palm frond) and an etrog (yellow citron). 94 grams, 74 mm
From the collection of a London antiquarian, formed since the 1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The first word is the name Iacobus' (Jakob) and the second word (Λιλεβα) is likely derived from the Latin libellarius (scribe or notary), which was borrowed by Hebrew as ‘לבלר ’ (‘liblar’).The latter term is closer in meaning to the medieval ‘clerk’, than to the typical Hebrew word for scribe, ‘סופר’ (‘sofer’). -
Byzantine Solid Silver 'Jesus Christ Victorious' Ring
5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
S-section hoop with ovate plaque to each shoulder, lozengiform bezel with legend 'NI / IC + XC / KA' (Jesus Christ Victorious). 13.43 grams, 28.22 mm overall, 18.48 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Byzantine Bronze Cross
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Integral loop and punched ring-and-dot decoration. 4.53 grams, 36 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
