Georgian Gold Ring with Silver Skull

Of academic interest, copper-coated lead seal impressions including presentation scenes, hunting scenes, court scenes; one with cuneiform text. 240 grams total, 34-45 mm



Possibly made by the British Museum. From a West Country, UK, private collection.

Depicting Saint Zosima and Saint Sabbas in front of the Solovetsky Monastery, both nimbate and dressed in the Abbot’s garments, holding the model of the monastery offered to God, represented in the sky as a dove upon a cloud; arabesque frame; inscriptions in Old Slavonic with the names of the saints. 108 grams, 88 mm



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.

Saints Zosima and Sabbas or Sabbatius were highly venerated Orthodox saints, founders of the Solovetsky Monastery, a fortified monastery located in the White Sea in Northern Russia. This double portrait shows Zosima and Sabbas holding up a model of their religious institution, which resembles a small medieval city. Solovetsky Monastery obtained big investments from the city of Novgorod and established itself as one of the richest monasteries in Russia.

Incuse male profile busts with stars in the background and other objects in the field; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.17 grams, 19 mm



Acquired on the French art market. Private collection, England.