Post Medieval Bronze Ring with Date

In Greek style with a hardstone or terracotta body, gold rosette base, neck and handles; bulbous body with ring-and-dot motifs; suspension loop to neck. 2.02 grams, 22 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

Dressed in armour and holding a spear, carrying a shield on his back, quiver of arrows on his hip with bow over arm, and one hand on a sword at his side, against a gilt background; text across left and right field reading 'Свети Георги' (Saint George). 667 grams, 33.2 cm



Ex French gallery, Paris.

Saint George, a Roman soldier of the 4th century, martyred under Diocletian, soon became the emblem of the military saint par excellence, defender of the faith and protector of armies. In the east, his icons and images were often carried into battle or placed on standards of Christian armies; in the West, he became a patron of chivalry. Here he is represented in late Roman armour, according to the style in use in Byzantium between the 14th and 15th centuries.

Each composed of a stem with wooden handle and tapering white metal stem with bulbous collar, all ornamented with repoussé floral and foliate tendrils and seraphims; the bifacial discoid heads with scalloped circumferences, each with five domed bosses and displaying seraphims and stars within pellet and bead borders; lettering to heads and collars; each mounted on a custom-made display stand. 3.45 kgs total, 64.2 cm each including base



with Boisgirard, 28 November 2013, lot 138. Ex central London gallery. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.202063.

The shape and decorative scheme of these liturgical fans has existed since at least the 8th century A.D. These fans were likely crafted as souvenirs for pilgrims returning from Jerusalem, or for them to bring to Jerusalem as homage to the church. Seraphim are the highest-ranking angels in the traditional hierarchy, and as such are closest to God.