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LOT 0401
Lombardic Gold Cross for Agilulf
CIRCA 6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
2 in. (25.73 grams, 53.47 mm).
Flat-section with stamped triangular decorated border enclosing inscription: 'CX REX VICTVRIA'; attributed to King Agilulf.
ProvenanceAcquired on the London art market before 2000.
Acquired from a major Mayfair, London, UK, gallery.
Ex property of a London gentleman.
Hammond, Aaron, Discovering Jewellery, A Collector's and Investor's Guide, Ipswich, p.262.
LiteratureCf. Sannazzaro, M., Giostra, C., Petala Aurea, Gold-Sheet-work of Byzantine and Lombard Origin from the Rovati Collection, Truccazzano, 2014, nos.1, 18-20, 23, 24, 25, 27-32, for crosses and other gold sheets with similar decorations and inscriptions.
FootnotesThe inscription 'VICTURIA' and 'REX' appears on several items that belonged to Agilulf (ca. 515-616 AD), the king of the Lombards who accepted Christianity to appease his wife, Theodelinda, the widow of his predecessor King Authari. Under Agilulf, the Lombards accepted Arian Christianity; in 603, the king adopted the Roman Catholic faith and baptised his son, Adaloald. A representation of the king appears on a helmet panel from Valdinievole, now in the Bargello, Florence. Stamped decoration in the form of a triangle with three dots inside was popular among Germanic tribes, used during the early and high Middle Ages.
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