Egyptian Style Stone Bead Necklace String

Of facetted deep blue glass, enclosed within an elegant silver filigree cage mount retaining traces of its original gilding; the domed screw-cap similarly decorated with scrolling filigree ornament and fitted with a suspension loop, indicating that it was intended to be worn on a chain or ribbon, with an original clear glass stopper. 4.62 grams, 28 mm



Acquired on the European art market.

Delicate in scale yet refined in execution, the bottle is a characteristic example of late 17th-century English personal luxury wares.

Saint Boris and Saint Gleb depicted on horseback wearing Russian medieval armour, holding a cross standard and a sword, each wearing a conical helmet; on the right upper corner, the hand of God. 260 grams, 10.7 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.

Boris and Gleb were the sons of Vladimir of Kyiv, the first Christian Prince of Rus; they were killed in 1015 and 1019 in the civil struggles for the succession to the throne, and sanctified for their faith. Standards with their image were worn by the medieval Russian army.

With a wide, curving blade and an oval socket. 839 grams, 15.6 cm



Property of a Nottinghamshire, UK, gentleman.