Palestinian Iron Rocket Keyring

Comprising a solid round-section ring with a large, rectangular bezel set with a vibrant pink sugarloaf-shaped sapphire. 20.3 grams, 33.21 mm overall, 16.21x17.28 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 12)



From the private collection of Lord Ian Balfour, author of 'Famous Diamonds'; received by gift to the present owner circa 2001. Accompanied by a copy of a Gemmological Certification Services lab report invoice no.41731. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13268-251909.

According to the GCS report, there is no indication of heating, and they have estimated the weight of the sapphire to be between 10 and 20 carats. Subsequent CT scanning has confirmed that the weight of the sapphire is 16.3 carats.

Hand-bound vellum gathering with cotton cords; approximately 60 leaves, each with thirteen lines of Ge'ez script to both faces in black ink with red punctuation and emphasis; inked knotwork panel, guilloche and other decorations; thin red leather cover on hide boards with punched cruciform pattern to outer faces, lattice to inner faces; spine separated from gathering, some wormholes. 134 grams, 10.1 x 7.3 cm



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

Saint George on horseback, dispatching the dragon with a spear; the saint dressed in lamellar Roman cuirass and seated on a high-ended saddle secured by breast, rump, and belly straps; Old Slavic inscription on the top, reciting Saint George (Свято́й Гео́ргий ). 90 grams, 65 mm



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.

According to the Christian tradition, Saint George would have lived between the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century: born into a noble Christian family, he became an officer in the Roman army and was then named a praetorian by Diocletian. But when the same emperor decided to resume the persecutions, Saint George became a victim despite his important political rank. His role in the development of the faith is so important that he is included among the Great Martyrs of the Eastern Church and his fight against the dragon becomes a symbol par excellence of the fight for good which defeats evil.