Merovingian Cicada Brooch

A gilt copper-alloy mount or scabbard-slider (Menghin's Typ IIIa Basel-Gotterbarmweg-Entringen) comprising three horizontal rectangular cells to the upper, middle and lower third of the body, each with gilt frame and set with a polished garnet cloison; the interstitial bridges with gilt ribbing; iron remains to verso. 11.8 grams, 44 mm



Found UK. Acquired in the 1990s. From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.

A carved bone panel, roughly triangular in plan with a curved profile, carved in relief with a stylised figural scene: left, above: two figures standing right, four large heads below; partial figures with a hound facing left above right, text below: 'JVLIANVS'; panel of five orderly rows of heads facing left, with geometric border below; notching to the edges to reverse; repaired. 31.4 grams, 91 mm



Previously in the Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister. From a Cambridge collection. Property of a North London gentleman.

The piece is probably a panel from a carved casket. The imagery relates to the Emperor Julian, later known as 'the Apostate', who was the cousin of Emperor Constantius II and ruled from 3 November 361-26 June 363. Julian was well-educated in the Greek tradition and rejected the Christian faith imposed on the eastern Empire under his uncle, Constantine. On his succession, Julian embarked on a military campaign against the Sassanian Empire in 363 which initially went well, but at the battle of Samarra in the same year he was badly wounded.

A silver finger ring formed as a single rod tapering at both ends, formed into a flat coil and wound around the shank. 2.50 grams, 24.79 mm overall, 19.84 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T 1/2, USA 9 3/4, Europe 21.89, Japan 21)



Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman.