Elizabethan Period Ceramic Fire Brick Group

Depicting a robed and nimbate figure of Saint Eleutherios, facing, hands gesturing in front of his chest, text in Greek across left and right fields reading 'O Aγιος Ἐλευθέριος,' (Saint Eleutherios). 596 grams, 33.5 cm



Ex French gallery, Paris.

As bishop in Illyricum, Eleutherios promoted Christianity at a time when the persecutions not only made it difficult to win and hold converts, but also at a time when it was very dangerous to be a high-ranking prelate of the church. Oblivious to this threat, he was acclaimed in the inner circle of Christianity as the brightest luminary of Christian Rome since the apostles. His immense popularity grew and thereby became more dangerous to the state. He was finally brought to the attention of Emperor Hadrian, who ordered his arrest, tortured and put him to death on December 15th.

Composed of a slender hoop expanding at the arms, oval-shaped cushion bezel set with a cut and polished carnelian gemstone, fluting to the reverse of the bezel, saltires and crescents to the hoop. 5.20 grams, 23.18 mm overall, 19.36 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)

Fine condition.

Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

Cylindrical with domed terminals with apex pellet and pelletted ribbing, ridge of suspension loops, body adorned with horizontal bands of filigree wire and pellets; hollow-formed. 90 grams, 10.1 cm



From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK, thence by descent.