Large Byzantine Sgraffito Terracotta Bowl with Bird

Sheet gold disc with three holes close to the rim for attachment of links (two damaged); repoussé facing image of a nimbate saint standing wearing a knee-length tunic with decorative hatched panel to the front, calf-length cloak with hatched texture, disc brooch beneath the chin, both arms raised in the orans gesture. 1.19 grams, 23 mm



Ex Elie Borowski, 1988.

Comprising: a large bronze buckle with thick round-section loop, ribbed tongue with acanthus-leaf design in-high relief, two pierced lugs to the reverse; a smaller buckle with long plate decorated with openwork geometric forms; a small seal box shaped as a youthful head with details on hair and face, open catch at the top. 107 grams total, 39-68 mm



Acquired in Europe in 1992. European private collection.

This type of belt elements, although present in the Avar graves of the second half of the 7th century, were most likely produced in the workshops of the Eastern Roman Empire, from where they reached the Avar lands as imperial gifts or spoils of war. They could be simple fastenings for belts, or part of multiple belts, to which sabres and knives were attached, commonly used among Avars, Bulgars and Romans during the 6th -7th centuries A.D.

With glazed upper face and basal ring; central reserved motif of a hare within concentric rings, with signs of sea encrustations. 544 grams, 22 cm



Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12046-211891.