Post Medieval Agate Carved Face of a Bearded Man

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.

D-section hoop with enamel panels to the shoulders, arcade to the rectangular bezel with inset table-cut crystal. 2.17 grams, 21.88 mm overall, 16.84 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK, on Wednesday 17th November 2021. Acquired on the English art market. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (mPAS) report no.LIN-CCA6D4. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.13050-248358.

Finger rings with a principal stone and subsidiary settings in separate collets came into use in the early 13th century, and this form of simple collet continued in use until the 15th century. A gold medieval finger ring with a similar bezel, but with subsidiary settings, is recorded on the PAS database (LIN-EC74C7, 2020T819). Other gold finger rings with a principal stone (albeit with subsidiary settings) and similar framed bezel recorded as treasure on the PAS database, including one from Soberton, Hampshire (HAMP-1DCFF0, 2017T156) and Huntingdon district area, CAM-4A8AB6, 2020T089.

Including a key with slotted bit and ribbed shank, vajra with bow to each end and other types. 520 grams total, 7.6-16.2 cm



Private collection, UK.