Post Medieval Gemstone with Herakles

Cruciform in plan with scrolled head to each arm joined to its neighbours with a pellet finial, low-relief foliage detailing, integral loop, incised voided cross to reverse. 9 grams, 54 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.

Conical segmented body with a tubular socket above to accept a separate crest; the surface of the fastening segments decorated with opposing triangles and an eagle at the base, the central segment decorated with an expanding arm cross at the base; the browband with an embossed inscription 'D[ominus] N[ostrum] IVSTINIANUS PERP[etuus] AVG[ustus] IN NOMINE XP[isti] VINCAS SEMP[er] = Our Lord Justinian, forever August, be always victorious; series of perforations on the lower rim, internally the lower part lined with corroded iron; supplied in a custom-made display case. 1.2 kg, 19.9 cm high



Ex property of a European gentleman. Accompanied by an academic report on this reproduction by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12918-245690.

Cross botonny with suspension loop, ring-and-dot to centre of obverse. 18.3 grams, 50 mm



From an old Lincoln, UK, collection, 1950s-1970s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.

The pectoral cross, also called the neck cross, is much smaller in the Orthodox Ethiopian world (and in general in all Orthodox world) than both the processional and the priests' cross. These crosses, secured by a blue string or cord, adorn the necks of the faithful. Many people receive their pectoral cross at baptism. They are made from a range of materials: bronze, silver, iron, horn, and occasionally gold. The richness of ornaments and the complex structure of Ethiopian crosses give a picture of an extraordinary culture, that of one of the world’s oldest Christian societies. The ornaments and forms of the crosses of Ethiopia are unique and instantly recognisable.