Dark Age Silver Ring with Animal

Comprising a beaded wire suspension loop with two attachments: long-handled spoon with small bowl; rectangular-section pick with hooked end; each with a teardrop-shaped panel with beaded wire rim to each face, the outer ones each with an inset garnet cloison, the rear ones set with a glass cabochon. 23.11 grams, 11.4 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12913-244535.

A similar implement, silver and gold-plated, was found in the grave of a small child in Untersiebenbrunn, in Lower Austria. These are precious items that belong to the polychrome style of the 5th century Roman jewellery adopted by so-called ‘barbarians’.

Comprising: bronze blade fixed into a sheet-gold sleeve with applied beaded wire scrolls to obverse, impressed saltire to reverse; four radiating longitudinal bars with corrugated ornament; bronze granule cluster as a finial. 5.55 grams, 57 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, UK.

The delicate nature of the piece and its decoration in the round make is likely that it is an element of jewellery or perhaps the shank of a key.

D-section annular hoop with overlapping rounded terminals at the base, bezel with a stylised quadruped. 6.01 grams, 22.32 mm overall, 18.54 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)



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