Medieval Stained Glass Panel with Christ before Pilate

Comprising a D-section hoop with traces of engraved guilloche to the outer edge, knop to the underside, scooped shoulders; octagonal bezel with facetted cup beneath, each face with engraved scroll motif, bevelled rim, engraved Arabic legend. 11.91 grams, 24.13 mm overall, 17.47 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



From an old French collection believed to have been formed in the 1960s. Acquired privately as part of a collection in the early 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of a previous illustrated catalogue information page. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12141-214818.

Parcel-gilt plaque from a coffre, with openwork foliage border, central disc with raised heater shield flanked by reserved scrolled tendrils; shield with red border and field of diagonal stripes; Limoges workmanship; blazoned 'bendy of seven azure an or within a bordure gules', the arms of the house of Burgundy. 75 grams, 99 mm



Private collection, Paris, France. with Pierre-Richard Royer, 2006. Ex private collection, Suffolk, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12148-217468.

The outer band with incuse legend '+ AQUILA IOhANNIS' (Eagle of [Saint] John]), suspension loop above with a leaf terminal to the reverse; set with a 2nd century A.D. Roman carnelian intaglio with a military eagle standing with spread wings, a laurel crown held in its beak, the claws gripping the base, two military standards at its sides; both shafts decorated with alternating phalerae, and lunulae. 3.74 grams, 21 mm



From the Smith family collection, formed in the late 1940s-1980s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no. 12045-217155.

Often the military intaglio gemstones of the ancient Rome were carved with an eagle between two standards. These intaglios could have been inserted in rings that belonged to an officer with the rank of Aquilifer (bearer of the legionary eagle). From the 4th century A.D., the vision of Ezekiel and John's Apocalypse, assigned the lion, the angel, the eagle, and the ox a place in the iconography of the Tetramorph to represent the four evangelists.