Byzantine Style Silver Ring with Cross

Depicting Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John Chrysostomus, all nimbate and holding their holy writings, under the vision of the Holy Mandylion; Saint Basil wearing a bishop's sakkos, the other two wearing the usual orthodox priest's garb, phelonia; all three wearing a brocade band, omophorion, with four crosses; inscriptions in Old Slavonic with the names of the Saints, on the Nimbus of Jesus, the letters 'O Ѡ N' (‘I AM’); names of the Saints in the background in Old Slavonic; framed by double moulding, the first decorated with crenellated elements, the second with arabesques. 270 grams, 11.5 cm



Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

The icon is the so-called icon of the three hierarchs, Saint Gregory the Theologian (Gregory of Nazianzus), Saint Basil the Great (Basil of Caesarea) and Saint John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople. All three were important fathers of the church who strove to clarify and crystallise Dogma, for the unity of the faith, of the Liturgy and the needs of philosophy and letters.

Hollow-formed with openwork eyes and nasal cavity, hinge beneath the lower jaw which opens to reveal six compartments with internal 'lid' engraved with the names of six fragrances: 'Rosen, Citron, Schlag, Rosmarin, Negeln, and Canel', the other side to contain a sponge soaked in the perfumed oils and spices, a short length of chain suspended from the top of the skull. 25.4 grams, 38 mm



Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13004-246014.

Originally a talisman to ward off sickness and noxious odours, this item of jewellery could be worn around the neck or suspended from a belt. The Pomander scent carrier, with chambers for the herbs and spices, was popular in England and on the continent during the 16th and 17th centuries. Intended to protect the wearer from sickness, it was designed to be worn around the neck or waist on a rope by wealthy aristocrats.

Flat-section hoop with raised rim to each edge, tubular shank with frieze of robed figures between decorated arches and with pendant fronds above; domed lid with hinge and catch, stepped rim and chamber. 115 grams, 64.40 mm overall, 22.38 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Y 1/2, USA 12 1/4, Europe 28.2, Japan 27)



Private collection, UK.