Merovingian Silver Ring with Twisted Bezel

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 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.

A carved bone amulet or mount displaying a stylised figural scene: central panel featuring two figures seated back to back at the centre, possibly bound captives, flanked by larger figures seated facing them, holding cups; two orderly rows of centre-facing heads either side; decorative striations to both terminals, pierced twice for attachment. 19.4 grams, 14 cm

Fine condition, small loss to the lower edge at one end.

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

The piece is curved and slightly twisted in the horizontal plane suggesting that it would be unsuitable for mounting on a piece of furniture or casket unless it formed an inset panel within a larger scene.