Post Medieval Agate Cameo of a Classical Muse in Gold Mount

With a keeled hoop having a Greek-style inscription on both sides beneath the bezel, expanding shoulders with triangular panels engraved with palmettes, a tiered bezel, the lower level with an incised Greek key design to the short edges, the second level with a zig-zag pattern around the perimeter, and the round top part with an incised bird motif. 10.38 grams, 27.41 mm overall, 17.36 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)



Ex London art market, 1990s.

D-section hoop with carinated profile, ribbing to the shoulders, square bezel with arcade detailing to the base, and inset table-cut crystal. 3.10 grams, 23.84 mm overall, 17.41 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)



By repute from Maastricht, Netherlands. Acquired on the European art market.

Discoid with ribbed border and central raised pellet, motif of a winged centaur holding a square shield and a staff(?), foliage motif to the background; pierced three times to the rim. 153 grams, 10.1 cm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

This version of a centaur was known as ‘kitovras’, an old Russian version of the word ‘kentauros’. He is typically portrayed with the body of a horse and the torso and head of a man, often featuring prominent wings and wearing armour. Kitovras is best known from a legend, ‘The Tale of Solomon and Kitovras’, in which he is tricked into building the temple for King Solomon. While held in captivity, Kitovras tells Solomon how to obtain the stone needed to build the temple and stays with him through its completion. When Solomon doubts Kitovras’ strength, Kitovras throws him to the edge of the Promised Land, but the king eventually returns and takes back the throne.