Ottoman Style Silver-Coloured Metal Ring with Blue Cabochon

Substantial in form with chamfered edges, ribbed and collared bale, four inset blue glass studs and a central gold-in-glass panel. 103 grams, 12.2 cm



Constable-Maxwell and Lord McAlpine in the 1980s-1990s. With Iconastas Russian Fine Art and Antiques, London SW1. Formerly in the private collection of Russian businessman Yuri Golubev (1942-2007), some of his collection was published in his book 'Symbols and Images’. Ex property of a British gentleman. Property of a Californian, USA, collector. Property of a West Northamptonshire, UK, gentleman.

Comprising a rectangular-section body pierced longitudinally with knop finial; lateral bowed arms with scrolled ends rising to the level of the knop and similar flared below; panels of arabesque tendril ornament to both flat faces and to the lateral arms; damaged. 42.9 grams, 38 mm



From an English private collection, 1980s. Property of a London, UK, antiquarian.

There seems to be a good argument for this pommel to be part of the French group of crusader pommels in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and in the University of Chicago, which date to the 12th-13th century A.D. This object has parallels with this group in terms of its crude manufacture, type of enamel, and overall style, as well as the fleur in scallop shape, which is almost identical to the lobes found on many of the circular sword pommels of this group.

With blue, yellow, white and green enamel, representing the Anastasis (Resurrection of Christ); the Saviour represented on two registers, in the upper one (Resurrection) emerging from the grave, surrounded by the hesychastic light, with the Roman soldiers falling asleep, and the apostles and a cherub beside him; in the lower register (Descent into Hades) Christ surrounded by the same divine light, leading the people from the Limbo, Adam and Eve, King David and Salomon and other souls to heaven; the frame decorated with gilt arabesques on blue enamel, inscriptions in Old Slavonic at the top. 200 grams, 11 cm



Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

The iconography is typical of the Anastasis or Resurrection of Christ, with the gates of Hades broken under the feet of Christ, echoing the phrase: 'Christ is Risen From the Dead, Trampling Down Death by Death, and Upon Those in the Tombs Bestowing Life!'