Marble Figure of a Bear

Comprising a wide hoop, the shoulders with rectangular panels embellished with scrolling motifs framed by delicate wirework borders, the bezel formed as a pair of clasped hands, finely modelled in low relief, symbolising trust, fidelity, and contractual union, the hands articulated with tapering fingers and subtly defined cuffs. 4.08 grams, 21.08 mm overall, 18.89 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



Acquired on the European art market.

The fede motif derives from the medieval formula mani in fede ('hands in trust'), a visual expression of loyalty and binding agreement. Rings of this type circulated widely from the late medieval period onward, gaining particular prominence in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as betrothal jewels embodying steadfast commitment. The present example, with its restrained decorative scheme and high gold purity, reflects the enduring appeal of intimate, symbolically charged jewels rooted in long-standing marital and devotional customs.

Comprising: monochrome photographic print of a rocket on the launchpad, endorsed 'US Air Force Photo... 8-26-66 CKMYA Titan-Project OfficeSunrise Pre-Launch after Service Tower removal (Palm Tree in foreground) Unclassified'; monochrome photographic print of a rocket leaving the launchpad, endorsed 'US Air Force Photo..Air Force eastern Test [...] Photographic Laboratory Operated by RCA. CKMYA Titan-3C. Launch of Titan-3C Unclassified.'; monochrome photographic print of two rockets leaving their launchpads, endorsed 'US Air Force Photo / Air Force Eastern Test Range Photographic Laboratory Operated by RCA. NASA/GEMINI & Atlas Agena. Unclassified.'; monochrome photographic print of Apollo 9 capsule with flotation ring, endorsed 'John F. Kennedy Space Center. NASA Kennedy Space Center. Florida 32899. For Release March 13, 1969. Photo No. 108-KSC-69P-186 69-H-453. Aboard the USS Guadalcanal - The scorched Apollo 9 spacecraft, cradled in a foatation collar, is hoisted aboard the USS Guadalcanal. prime recovery ship, after safely carrying astronauts James A. McDivitt, David P. Scott and Russell L. Schweikart to splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. The spacecraft shielded the astronauts from reentry temperatures which exceeded 2,000 degrees. They splashed down at 12:01 pm EST March 13, 1969, at the completion of their 10-day earth orbital mission to test a lunar module spacecraft. Ipact was less than 5 miles from the recovery ship and 780 nautical miles southast of Cape Kennedy. They were launched by an Apolo/Satrn V space vehicle March 3 from the Kennedy Space Center. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration directs the Apollo program. [copyright information.]' 74 grams total, 25.6 x 20.4 cm each



Acquired on the USA art market. Property of a Harwich, UK, collector.

Military uniform button, domed in profile with loop to reverse; low-relief cannon, ramrod and shot reserved against a hatched field; Austro-Hungarian field artillery regimen. 3.8 grams, 23 mm



From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent. Accompanied by the original collector's data sheet(s) with reference no.A95.