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LOT 0280
Merovingian Gold Ring with Garnet in Lozenge Bezel
6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (3.16 grams, 22.79 mm overall, 20.52 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 9.95, Japan 9)).
A gold finger ring comprising a lozengiform bezel and twisted hoop; applied filigree bilinear frame to the bezel enclosing four applied filigree hoops and central cell with inset garnet cloison over a waffle-pattern gold-foil reflector.
ProvenanceAcquired 1960s-1990s.
Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11651-199135.
Cf. Hadjadj, R., Bagues Merovingiennes - Gaul du Nord, Paris, 2007, item 144, for type; see also Adams, N., Rethinking the Sutton Hoo Shoulder-Clasps and Armour, in Entwistle, C. & Adams, N., Intelligible Beauty, Recent Research into Byzantine Jewellery, London, 2010, for discussion of the cloisonné technique.
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AUCTIONS:
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Merovingian Lettered Openwork Plate Brooch
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £165
A rectangular bronze brooch decorated with punched ring-and-dot motifs and openwork lettering, possibly 'RIC/VLF'; hinged pin and catch to reverse. 15.6 grams, 43 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired 1970s-1980s. Ex UK collection. Property of a Portsmouth, UK gentleman.
The item was probably part of a Merovingian belt fitting, later transformed in brooch with the application of the pin and catch. The name 'Riculf' or 'Ricolf' belonged to a bishop of Cologne, Germany, from 763 to 784 A.D. -
Eastern Germanic Silver Bow Brooch
Early 6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
A silver bow brooch with semi-circular headplate, decorative knop to apex, slender arched bow, sub-rectangular footplate with knop finial and punched annulets; spring, pin and catchplate to reverse. 8.58 grams, 51 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
The triple-bossed fibula developed from the fibulae of the southern east-European Germanic tribes, during the migration in the 5th century. This type can be found in modern territories from Hungary to France and occasionally even in England, but in general it remains rare. The type usually carries button-shaped decorations at the end of the semi-circular bow plate. -
Large Merovingian Gold Fish-Tailed Mount with Garnets
6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,640
A substantial gold mount or fitting for a shield, belt or bridle comprising a median domed panel with central green glass cabochon, four pelta-shaped radiating-arm cells with inset garnets, two now absent; to each end a fish-tail with inset garnet cloisons, one absent; six fixing pins to the mounting plate with beaded border. 12.62 grams, 48 mm
Acquired by Mr L. Grenacs of Belgium in 1975. Acquired London, UK, 1999. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11650-198616.
